Friday, December 25, 2009

Christmas Break

Christmas was great! We had our annual traditions of decorating the tree, handing out Christmas goodies, eating lots of awesome food and opening special Christmas pjs. Everyone got some awesome gifts and now we get to sit around, eat goodies and do a whole lot of nothing.

I love Christmas!

See photos from my trip so far here.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Me on TV again, kinda

I just found video of a panel discussion I participated in about activist alumnus Adnan Hajizada. The entire discussion was excellent and is worth watching. My part starts at 12:30 minutes -ish and I answer questions at the end.

Is it wrong that I'm proud of myself for this?

Friday, December 11, 2009

Blue Christmas Service puts me on PBS

I had the pleasure of playing guitar and singing for the University of Richmond Chaplaincy's Blue Christmas service that gives people a chance to mourn during the season that is suppose to be all about family and merriment. The PBS show Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly was there and they featured the service in a segment on Dec. 11.

I'm the one playing the guitar.

Monday, December 7, 2009

The End is Near

And now, the end is near and so I face the final bidding...

The semester is almost over! Tomorrow will be my last day on campus before I head to St. Louis for a few days and then home. I will be writing a paper until Dec. 15, but such is life. I finished my Spanish final in 45 minutes today (Woohoo!) and am now waiting around in the library for a dinner at a professor's house.

Since my last post about posting (which I have epically failed at) a little bit has happened.

Halloween was awesome! View pictures here. Chicken. Suit.

Josh came to visit and we had a great time at Homecoming. There was a reception for CSF alumni, a football game (that we lost, boo) and a lot of good lounging and relaxing time.

And, of course, Thanksgiving! Grandmama and I went over to Uncle Sandy and Aunt Gibby's house and had a great time hanging out with family. They are some pretty awesome people and I'm so glad I get the chance to get to know all the East Coasters. Although, I seriously miss going to Arizona and seeing all of my family there. All the cousins are turning into people. Not allowed!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving my maternal side of the family had a Christmas Party/Family Reunion. This year was great again. We have lots of little babies and kids and a soon-to-be addition, my cousin Will's fiance. Congratulations! I guess this officially puts me next in line. Did you hear that, Josh? No pressure or anything.

I also performed at our on-campus sports bar/restaurant as part of a jazz concert and it was awesome! I felt a lot more comfortable this time and I look forward to other chanced to perform.

There have been more Christmas celebrations, including the CSF Christmas Party. Viewed here. There was so much great food, people and presents! Everyone needs a plastic stegosaurus that sharpens pencils and walks. Duh.

And now, I sit and wait and try to find time to do laundry and pack between dinners, babysitting, paper writing and a few parties, all before Wednesday! I don't think I'll be sleeping much until I get back to San Diego on the 14th. Vacation, here I come!

Be prepared for more posts, if I can remember, about the whole, you know, graduating and future thing. Maybe.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Halloween in the 21st Century

You know you live in the 21st century when:

Drop the Halloween mask! It might scare someone.

If only I could get quotes like this one for every story and put it in a paper that the entire world reads...

“I’m not sure what is driving this memo,” Mr. Bishoff said. “But perhaps it is reaction to years past. Sometimes kids will have those ‘Scream’ masks, but usually not too blood and gutsy. I mean, can’t parents have discretion? The fact is, if parents are too stupid to not send kids to school with hockey masks as Jason, they are probably too stupid to read this memo.”

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Excuses, excuses, excuses

Wow. I just looked at this and the last time I posted something was on July something.

Sorry about that...

It's made me think about why I haven't posted and there are the obvious reasons such as being busy, blah blah blah. But I think the main reason is that my life is so routine and not much exciting has happened since school started back up. I have the same schedule for the most part every week and nothing huge has happened in my social life. My dad did get a job, which is awesome.

But all of this is about to change because I am graduating from college in seven months. Ah! So I will do my best to keep everyone updated. And if I don't post pictures from Halloween then I should be severely punished. I have two words for you: Giant. Chicken.

Oh ya.

Collegian has been going well. You can check it all out at www.URCollegian.com and if you search my name all of the articles I have ever written will show up including my weekly news column. And check out this weeks front page. Elizabeth Ygartua, who is our design editor drew the main graphic and it is amazing. I am quite proud of her and this front page.

Now I have to get ready for AXIS, our annual fall conference for Christian Student Fellowship where I will reveal the chicken suit on Saturday. Be ready people.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings

So many weddings!

Saturday my friends Nick and Kayla, now Mr. and Mrs. Burt, got married! It was a nice ceremony and Kayla looked gorgeous. Alicia even cried as Kayla walked down the aisle to the song from The Holiday. *sigh*

The food at the reception was delicious and even though the sound system wasn't working correctly, the dances were beautiful.

Congratulations Nick and Kayla!

And in less than a week I will be flying to San Fransisco to get ready for Kimi's wedding on August 8.

You people are making me feel old.

The Burts' first dance

The kiddos hanging out at the reception. From left, Alex Rice, Cierra Kierstead (I know I spelled that wrong), Alicia Bosse, me, Christian Turner

All of my pictures can be found here.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Rev. Kocher Chosen as Chaplain

We have a new chaplain!

Kocher to be university's next chaplain

I was working on the story on Adnan Hajizada yesterday when I got a call: "They picked a chaplain." And we're off!

I called Rev. Kocher and he called me back not long after that. We were sent a press release and about 10 minutes later President Ayers sent out an e-mail. We were scooped! But it's OK. We had the interview with Kocher and the VERY large, spiffy picture on the homepage.

On a personal, opinion-section note, I am very pleased with the decision. As you know, I had a chance to interview both candidates and their colleagues and I felt Kocher would be an excellent fit at Richmond. He seems to connect with students. He has quite a trial in front of him, since this will be his first time serving as the chaplain, but I think Richmond and Rev. Kocher will benefit from this appointment.

Exclusive Interview with Hajizada's Girlfriend; Judge Rejects Appeal

Updated stories on Adnan Hajizada, arrested on charges of hooliganism in his native Azerbaijan, where he is a political activist.

Professors sign letter supporting Hajizada as pretrial hearing delayed to July 20

Girlfriend says injuries untreated as judge rejects detention appeal

Dan Petty and I worked on the story last night, with me sending him what I had at about 1:30 a.m. California time (he's in Denver). Then I got a text message saying Hajizada's girlfriend had sent him a very long message right about then. Apparently Dan stayed up until about 5 a.m. to finish and post this story. Go Dan! You are good at what you do.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Hajizada's Acitivism Began at Richmond, father says

We have an updated story on Adnan Hajizada.

I had the opportunity to interview his father, Hikmet Hajizada, for this story. It was difficult because the call was dropped about three times and my voice was echoing in my ear, but it was an amazing experience.

The story has been picked up by U-Wire, the Associated Press for college newspapers, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the blog Near West End News.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

UR Alum Turned Activist Arrested

A University of Richmond alumnus was arrested in Azerbaijan possibly for speaking out against the government. Story HERE.

I got a text message last night at 11:30 about this story and have been working on it since, with a few hours of sleep in between. It's pretty exciting and we will continue to update it.

And my body hates me more than I thought it would. It was just one kickboxing class and one spin class. I'm sorry!

Oh, and I got another tattoo. I will put up pictures when it's healed and looks prettier.

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Search for a New Chaplain

The Collegian has been covering the University of Richmond's search for a new chaplain. It has been great to be able to interview the candidates and their colleagues, even though I cannot be in Richmond. The Chaplaincy is hoping to have video up of the forums that were held with each candidate.

So here they are so far. There's one more article to go.

In forum, finalist for chaplain says he would welcome, support all in community


Experience of past exclusion drives chaplain finalist’s desire for inclusive campus

For Kocher, chaplaincy should gracefully engage questions of difference

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Core

It will be interesting to see the student reaction to this (article by me), if there even is one.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Vanity Fair

Why They Hate Us

An article from Vanity Fair about why people seem to hate the media and how valid those arguments are. The comments are my favorite part. Especially those who make the complaints the author addresses.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Aid to the Rescue!

I was notified today that I will receive enough aid from the University of Richmond that I will only owe them about $750 for my entire senior year. Woohoo! Richmond may have a high price tag (estimated cost of attendance for next year is over $50,000) but they give 100% blind need-based aid and it is awesome.

Thank you Richmond and your extravagant endowment!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Guantanamo

This puts a little fact and perspective on the closing of Guantanamo. We'll have to wait and see what happens to those who are convicted for acts of terrorism and where they end up.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Politics. At least it's interesting

State Senator Beats McAuliffe in Va. Primary

To be honest, I hadn't been paying much attention to this election. Call it election burn out or just plain apathy, either way this will make for an interesting General Assembly session next year. After reporting on the last session, I have learned a few things about what will be presented at the next session and if Deeds becomes governor, a lot of things are going to change in Va., especially when it comes to gun laws and the death penalty. Both very interesting topics that people love to read about.

Now that I know a little bit more about politics, it's more interesting and I don't despise it as much. Notice I said, "as much."

Journalists Sentenced to 12 Years Hard Labor in North Korea

Two Paths, Same Fate for Reporters Facing Prison

If you've ever watched Oprah or various other news shows, you know who Lisa Ling is. One of the captured woman is her younger sister.

It's a dangerous time to be a journalist in many countries. I think I'll stick to print.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Delilah and the Snake


On Sunday Delilah came in to the house after her morning romp and seemed to be limping a bit. After a few days she seemed to be getting stiffer and stiffer and was not getting up on her own to eat. It looked like her back legs were giving her a lot of problems so we took her to a new vet.

While the vet was examining her, the vet technician found a red spot on Delilah's skin so they shaved the area and found out she had been bitten by a poisonous snake, probably a Copperhead, on her right shoulder. The vet also said that the hind paralysis was most likely due to a tick-borne disease. They kept her overnight to give her IV fluids and sent her blood to a lab for tests. They started her on antibiotics and pain medication.

The next day we were able to go pick her up and she seemed a little peppier. Since then we have been giving her the antibiotics and pain meds and a Pepcid twice a day and she seems to have most of her old energy back and is not having any problems getting up or down or walking.

Now the only problem is that we have to keep her locked up and out of trouble for another week and a half. Anyone who has met Delilah will tell you that that is nearly impossible. Now every time she wants to go outside we get the leash and walk around, which doesn't exactly make her happy, but she will get over it.

I am just glad that she is OK and getting back to her old self. She was pretty pitiful those first few days.

We still don't know if she has/had a tick-borne disease because the vet said the tests showed she had a little bit of all three and nothing was definitive. So we're just giving her the drugs and taking her back for a check up on Tuesday.

My baby is OK!

Really?!

A Blagojevich Tries Reality TV

Are you serious? Really? Really?!

Some people are nuts. If I were this woman's child, I would change my name.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

For the Moments I Feel Faint

Unbelievably I have been doing a lot of working so far this summer. I am working at The Blue Heron restaurant again in Charles City, I'm still working for the church and babysitting every now and then and lately I've been helping a lady from church with her immense gardens.

The Blue Heron has been great. It was ridiculously busy on Saturday night and I was a little overwhelmed but there may be someone who is going to help me hostess, which would be awesome.

Gardening has also been great and pretty uneventful, except for my first day. Judy and I had weeded and mulched and planted and were watering when I started feeling a little dizzy. I walked toward the golf cart (because apparently golf carts are the only way to garden) and I remember reaching for the side. The next thing I remember is feeling asleep but there was a lot of noise and weird lights. Then I was sitting on the ground, looking over at Judy.

A combination of a lot of direct sun, little food and no water made me faint. But after I threw up I felt fine and have felt fine since. I think I scared Judy a little bit but once she saw I was OK, she seemed OK. Since then I've been wearing a hat, making sure I eat a good meal before going over and carrying around a water bottle.

I've realized that I really do like gardening and working outside. I hope the place I live after college has enough space for me to at least have some flowers and maybe an herb garden, because the other thing I've realized over the summer is that I love to cook.

I was in charge of my cousin Curry one night last week when both of his parents were gone and Grandmama had a dinner to take lots of cakes to. I decided to do some cooking with the rosemary Judy had given me and it was good times. I found a recipe from Rachael Ray for Balsamic and Rosemary Chicken. Good times. Grandmama also gets Taste of Home magazine and has some awesome recipes that I am so ready to try.

Curry and I also played some Battleship. I won.

At church last Sunday we honored our graduates and Majeed, an exchange student from Bahrain who stayed with one of the families from church for the past year and is getting ready to leave next week. We gave the graduates new Bibles that everyone then signed or underlined, etc. We did that for our seniors at CSF (Christian Student Fellowship at UR) and I thought it was a good idea to steal. They were all guys. One is leaving for the Marine Reserves in July, another the Coast Guard in October and the last is working on his step dad's farm. They're good guys whom we are going to miss.

Majeed and Adam

And then there are always cute pictures of the dog.

She likes to stay in the car after a car ride. I know. Weird.

This is how we spend our afternoons.


It's either naps or blogging.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Work

Even thought I don't technically have a full-time, salaried job, the money keeps coming. I started working at the Blue Restaurant again two weeks ago and worked again last night. I've been babysitting rather consistently even thought I babysit for a professor and school is out and I just got a job maintaining a garden for a couple who will be in Europe for a month. Yeah!

Now the only thing I have to do is try and find something while I'm back in California for about six weeks. That should be fun. Or not.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Commencement


The University of Richmond had it's 179th Commencement yesterday. It was a great ceremony that amazingly only took two hours. Of course, there were a lot of things that went on before that such as the Baccalaureate service, a fancy lunch in D-hall and lots of waiting around for the ceremony to actually get started. Josh did a reading at the Baccalaureate service of 1 Corinthians 13 and did so well. He sounded very pastoral. Josh's family was here so I walked around and hung out with them. We had a good time.

And now they're gone and Josh and I begin a long-distance relationship, which kind of sucks but I think we'll be OK. At least we have cell phones, e-mail and Facebook!

Josh and I also went to the first wedding of the summer on Friday. Our friends Brittany and Patrick were married at a small church that her dad pastors. It was a very nice ceremony, including when they gave everyone there communion and I dropped my bread in the juice goblet. Brittany and I will soon be able to commiserate together because Patrick leaves for Army reserve boot camp in about a month. At least we'll have each other.

Now there are only two weddings and two graduations left for the summer. Until then, I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing with a little babysitting, working at the Blue Heron and organizing a mission trip thrown in there.

Friday, May 1, 2009

DONE!

I just turned in the last assignment of my junior year of college.

YES!

You know what this means, don't you? I might actually blog!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

BlackBerry

I got a BlackBerry for my 21st birthday! In fact, I am using it right now to post this. Its a little complicated but I'm slowly figuring it out.

Thanks Mommy and Daddy!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Friday, March 6, 2009

News Editor

You are now reading the words of The Collegian's newest News Editor! I have been hired as the head of the news section for next year's staff. We have one more edition with the old staff that will be a kind of training on March 26 and then it's on with the new. As News Editor I will be designing the front page, assigning stories to certain pages and making sure the section is up to snuff each week. I plan on making some design changes as well as being very active in how the section looks and is run. I will always be writing stories, but not officially on a schedule. It should be good times and I'm excited about getting the chance to turn this position into what works best for me.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Press Pass

This was so incredible! One of my professors sent me to the Capitol to do a story on the Senate commendation of a boy who won the world championship in soap box derby racing. It was a feel-good, cute human interest story and seemed pretty interesting. My friend and classmate, Jacki Raithel, also came to take video.

When we got to the Capitol, we met up with Sen. Houck's (who did the commendation) aide. Then we found out that we were going to sit at the press table in the Senate chamber. It was so awesome! I felt very official and like a real journalist.

Books

Now that mid terms are over and I have a lazy Saturday with minimal homework, it's time to talk about books. I've been listening to several books on tape/CD and have enjoyed them. Now I just need to find some of my required books for school... Life would be so much easier.

I started with Jeff Shaara's books. I had read some before and enjoyed them so I found some cheap on Half.com (which I now love, by the way). One was from WWII, the next WWI and the last, the Revolutionary War (or apparently as my British friend informed me, the War of Independence.) All were good and I learned a lot about WWI, especially since I don't remember learning much about it. But my favorite was Rise to Rebellion, about the Revolutionary War. I also did not know/remember a lot of the details about how the war began, how politics and government worked then, or how the war was officially won. Benjamin Franklin was a hilarious character that I appreciate much more now.

I also listened to Bob Woodward's The War Within. It was an interesting look at another war I don't know much about and yet know at least three people who have or will be fighting in it. I appreciated Woodwards look into the White House and all of the details. He interviewed several people for the book and wrote it as a very long news article. Of course, his rather liberal slant was there but it was obvious and did not change some of the facts. It's good to know these things since I will be affected by them.

And then there was Twilight... I got the CDs from the kids I teach guitar too and decided I would give it a try. It was very entertaining, but more in a comical, this-is-outrageous-and-would-never-happen kind of way. It was not entertaining in the sense that it was good literature. No offense to Stephenie Meyer, even though she does spell her name funny. But the book kept me interested and awake while driving home at ridiculous hours, which is a very big reason why I listen to books in the car. So it accomplished its purpose. I also have the second and third books if I want to listen to them, which I am considering but haven't decided on yet. I will not, however, listen to the fourth and last book because apparently it is extremely violent and I am not OK with that being marketed to little girls.

Anyway, books are good times. Currently I am listening to Holes. It's nice and short and cute. I need some more audio books but have yet to find something I want to read... Any suggestions? All I require is that it be available somewhere in audio form.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Hugh Jackman sings?...AND dances???

I loved the Oscars last night. First off, Hugh Jackman did an amazing musical number that was hilarious because it poked fun at Hollywood while revealing, to those of us who know Jackman as Wolverine, that he is a musical kind of guy.

I also loved the set up. Having past winners gush about how awesome and amazing and talented and everything else the nominees were, made it more entertaining and insightful instead of lame musical performances by people I would rather not listen to (*cough* The Grammys *cough*).

I regret to say that the only movies I have seen that were nominated were Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda (both were awesome) but when you're a starving college student spending every moment working, eating or sleeping, movies are not high on the list of priorities. So, I signed up for NetFlix. Now I can catch up at my own leisure while spending much less than I would renting them from a store or, shocker, seeing them in the theater. So far I've received, watched and sent back Nights in Rodanthe. The book it's based on by Nicholas Sparks is amazing and what started me on Sparks. The movie...maybe three stars. It was extremely predictable and did not follow the book at all. It was good in a Lifetime, make you cry, girl movie kind of way. Sorry Josh...

And I've been doing a whole lot of reading/listening that I will inform you about later. But don't hold your breath...

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Valentine's Day

Yesterday I had an awesome Valentine's Day. One of the Christian groups on campus that Josh is in, Intervarsity, hosts a dinner for the girls that is run and staffed by the guys. Josh was the head chef so I obviously went. The food was great and then there was a lot of fun dancing. We listened to some classic 90s music that always brings back good memories of middle school...The only good memories of middle school.

After the IV dinner Josh gave me a dozen red roses and a box of hand-picked Godivas. As Grandmama told me this morning, I'm training him well.

Ashlee, Elizabeth and I

Elizabeth having a good time on the dance floor

Just an awesome picture I took of some girls dancing. I love my camera...I need to use it more often

Josh's I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-this-song face


It was a good night.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Collegian

So this was an interesting article I wrote this week. And, of course, today was the day that 400 prospective students and their families came to campus...

And also this one! Another great intro to those visiting us for the first time.

Rince Dance 2009

The University of Richmond has an annual tradition of having a Ring Dance, or junior prom, where all of the junior girls wear white dresses, get walked down the big fancy stairs that inspired the staircase in Gone With the Wind while being escorted by their fathers or dates and are handed their class rings. It was a great time that involved Mommy, Daddy, Grandmama, Josh, Elizabeth and a whole lot of white dresses. And then, of course, a lot of alcohol and drunk dancers.

There was also an incident that involved a smashed glass on the dance floor and the back of my foot. There was blood but some alcohol wipes and band aides made it all better. We still left early, about 11:30 p.m., because the dance floors were packed with a lot of drunk people, who are difficult to dance with.

But anyway...Pictures!
Trying on my dress before it was hemmed (by Grandmama)

Elizabeth kissing her Daddy at the bottom of the stairs

Daddy and I getting my ring at the bottom of the stairs

Elizabeth and I waiting to make a giant "W" with the rest of the girls

My family!

Josh and I afterward
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Elizabeth and I. See looked gorgeous!

We did have a great time and I am so glad I was able to experience it. Now I just have to find another excuse to wear that dress...

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Published again

Yeah!

WPCVA published my article on their Web site. Yeah!

This is getting better and better.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Published!

Outside The Collegian!

This is a little late but whatever...

For my Public Affairs class this semester I am a staff writer for the Capital News Service, which reports on the General Assembly in Virginia. I wrote an article about the budget problems and how it will affect schools in a small town called Culpepper and it make it into their paper. I don't have a hard copy yet but it's online here.

Hopefully there will be a lot of this going on this semester.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

First Day of School

As I was thinking of a title for this post I thought of little Nemo jumping on his father, shouting, "First day of school! First day of school!"

Because this has been my first week of school and it deserves some enthusiasm. While I've been late two classes because of my own mistakes, they have gone well. On Monday I began with Digital News, which should prove extremely helpful in the new age of journalism with this whole internet thing. Later that day I was able to see my little Avery again and she is so big! No more baby face and she's a crawling machine and has decided to lift herself up on anything she can, even though she hasn't really figured out how to get down yet.

Tuesday I began with a late start to Public Affairs but my professor didn't seem to mind too much. That class is going to be extremely beneficial because I am now a staff writer for the Capital News Service, which is run by VCU and reports on the Virginia General Assmebly for all kinds of small newspapers throughout Virginia. I'm going to be published in something other than the school paper. Yeah!

Later on Tuesdays I'm suppose to have history but my professor's baby decided to be born later than expected so he canceled class for this week and we'll start next Tuesday. I'm OK with that.

Wednesday I had Digital News again but was late because I thought class started at 9:45 a.m. when it in fact started at 9:20 a.m. Oops... Then there was more babysitting.

Today I didn't have any classes because Public Affairs only meets on Tuesday and history is canceled so I worked vigorously on trying to get a hold of a senator, which proved to be impossible so the story proceeded without him. Oh darn. I hope that one ends up in a paper somewhere so I can send you a link!

Then there was Chick-Fil-A with CSF, which a LOT of people showed up, then finishing the article and now driving back to Grandmama's. Tomorrow I only have one class and then I can hide indoors because it's suppose to be a low of 6 degrees...

Saturday, January 10, 2009

On the road again

Josh and I have made it to Louisville, KY and will be in Richmond by tomorrow afternoon if all goes well. Now it's time to get some sleep and get ready for a very long drive tomorrow.

I'll post about my trip to St. Louis as soon as I can, hopefully sometime in the middle of next week. School starts on Monday so we'll see... =D

Monday, January 5, 2009

Josh sees all things San Diego

Well, kinda...

Josh and I just arrived in St. Louis, MO after he spent a week visited my family and I in Escondido. We had a great time hanging out with family, seeing some sites and celebrating New Years. I shall tell the story with some pictures.

We played some Super Munchkin with Sasha after eating Alberto's. Super Munchkin is a card game where the goal is to gain 10 levels by fighting monsters and making sure everyone else loses their fights. It's good times. Sasha had a tendency to try and sneak a peek at Josh's cards.

I showed Josh the Pacific Ocean at Oceanside Harbor and he chased the seagulls, after a little prompting from me... : )

I took Josh to eat his first In-N-Out burger. He liked it.

We hung out with Christian and Alicia one night and were very bored so we decided to go to Vons and buy some sparkling apple cider. We then decided to go take a picture of us drinking it on a planter in from of Calvary Chapel. It was cold and pretty much awesome.

Happy New Year! We had a party at my house and just ate and talked and played a little Ruckus. Megan, Nate, Kayla and Nick were able to join us and we had a good time.

We even got to walk the dogs so Josh could see the trails behind our house. Sasha took Sammy and I took Bailey. We left Bubba at home...

I love DollarTree... We went to the dollar store and I got 5 gift bags and tissue for $2.18. Good times. Sasha bought a white board and drew a pretty picture of me and for me while on our way to the mall.

While at the mall I tried on dresses for Kimi's wedding and Ring Dance. Sasha meade me try on this one...

And Josh thought it was pretty hilarious. Don't worry, I didn't buy it.

I did get this one for Kimi's wedding though. I love it soooo much and will be trying to make up some excuses to wear it a few more times.

We had a good time goofing off at the mall.

Star Trek Experience! Mommy, Daddy and I took Josh to Balboa and decided to check out the Star Trek Experience at the Air and Space Museum. It was awesome and completely nerdified. Needless to say, Mommy and I were pretty excited.

We walked around Sea Port Village and all its many stores. Before that we were a little hungry so we went to The Pier Cafe which sits right on the shore. The scallops were delicious and apparently we had a visitor who thought so too. A seagull sat outside our window almost the entire time we were eating. I wanted to feed him but it would have been a little difficult.

After church on Sunday, where Josh was able to meet bunches of people, we took another trip to In-N-Out with Meagan and Sasha. This is what happens when Sasha gets hold of my camera.

On Monday Josh and I boarded a plane for St. Louis, Missouri and here we are. Tomorrow we will set out on our 15-ish hour drive back to Richmond. We will be taking two days because we have to be back in the early evening on Sunday so hopefully that helps with the fatigue that comes with sitting for that long.

Picture story of the trip to Missouri to come soon!