It feels like it was just yesterday I was kicking off the New Year with some of my best friends from high school. Four years had passed since we graduated from high school and even with the distance and time we continue to be in each others lives. These girls hold a special place in my heart and I'm glad I got to be with them for the start of a great year!
The happiness of the New Year continued four days later when my crush handed me the cutest note asking me to check yes or no to be his girlfriend. After months of making him wait, I checked yes and have never been happier. Those who know me well know I've had it tough out there on the battlefield. This guy has made it all worth it and I feel extremely lucky to have him in my life. I spent the month of January getting to know Alessandro. I watched Forest Gump for the first time and finally understood what Alessandro and his roommates meant when they said, "Seats taken!"
Now that Anthony, Alex's best friend and roommate, had forgiven me for not having watched Forest Gump before, we joined forces in February to create operation "tutty fruity." This operation was a plan to distract Alex from knowing about the surprise birthday dinner party we were planning for him. Since Alex loves pizza and Anthony is a great cook, we decided to have friends come over and make their own pizzas from scratch! It was so much fun and the pizzas were delicious. Alex had no idea we were planning anything. In fact, he really thought I had made last minute reservations to Pasta Pomodoro because I had been too busy to do anything else. What can I say? I'm a good party planner. At least I was for the month of February when I also planned a surprise party for my great friend Joe Sarmiento.
He thought he knew all of the details of the party. I mean I did create a fake facebook invite, but Joe didn't give me another option. He wanted to be included in the details of his party. Thankfully, I had the helps of lots of people and we were able to pick out a date that would take him by surprise! The fun continued later in the week when we celebrated Diana's 22nd birthday! Ratchet House broke its record for most people in the house for the longest period of time! #feeling22 #weownedthenight
Before I knew it, March was here and I was in South Carolina for Morgan's wedding! I arrived Friday night just in time for the rehearsal dinner. I was in sweats from traveling all day, but I didn't care. I couldn't believe I was at my best friends rehearsal dinner and she looked gorgeous. That night we stayed in a a beautiful beach house her parents had gotten for the family and bridal party. The following morning, we woke up early to get ready for the big day! We drank champagne, got our make up and hair done, took pictures, and listened as Morgan read a beautiful letter from her husband to be. The wedding was so much fun and I was so honored to be part of it!
In April, Alex and I participated in the Landmark Forum, which was a powerful experience for the two of us. From the Forum I got that I am a quiet person, but I also got that I have a powerful voice. I got my suffering of trying to live in a world without my grandma and I got that I can honor her by being the woman she wanted me to be- a champion for our family. I can honor her with my actions, with my words, with what I take a stand for. I took on spreading her love and dream for the family.
"I lived"in May as I went on my final Search at Santa Clara. On this Search I got to grow in my leadership as the Back Crew Coordinator. I got to unleash the inner warrior in me! Since Search was the same weekend as Mother's Day, later in the week, Alex drove me to surprise my family. I called my mom to see if she was home. She told me she was at Safeway, so I surprised her there. It made me happy that Alex understood how important family is to me and was willing to take a spontaneous drive to Napa on a school night.
After a quarter filled with theology classes, I finally turned in my last college assignment in June. To celebrate before my last week of finals, Alex and I went to the One Republic concert with our friends Celia, Ruggles, Maritza, Vaniah, Victor, and Alyssa in the Campus Ministry van. It was a great adventure and I can't wait for the next time One Republic is on tour! Once finals were over, it was time to put on my graduation gown and walk across the stage to get that diploma! It had been a long four years to get to that moment, but they were some of the best years of my life!! I quickly needed to pack after graduation because I needed to get back to Napa for an interview. It was tough saying goodbye to my friends and housemates. The girls in Ratchet House made a huge impact in my life and I was the luckiest girl to have the best roommate and best friend my senior year. I don't know how I could have made it a SCU with out her! Shout out to Sarah Sabih!
I started my first job after college in July. I worked as an Administrative Assistant helping with payroll and HR for a vineyard management company. Go figure, it's Napa. Fourth of July weekend, my goddaughter celebrated her Quinceanera. She looked beautiful in her dress and wowed the guests with the traditional and modern Valz. In July, Alex and I attended Peter and Samantha's wedding. The ceremony will be one to remember! Also the food and her dress! I felt special being part of their big day!
Weekends were busy in August. Harvest came early at work this year! Thankfully I was able to take time off to visit Sarah Sabih for her birthday in LA. I enjoyed staying at her house and got to meet her adorable grandma. The fair was around in Quincy, which is close to where Alex's family lives. We took a trip to check out the fair and my little brother Chris joined us. Alex showed us around the town and took us to see the animals at the fair. The animals were a part of the fair I wasn't used to when I went as a child so it was neat to be around them this time.
In September I started my first Landmark Seminar called Causing the Miraculous. I met two amazing women from Napa who became part of my small group. We met once a week for almost three months outside of the seminar to go over the assignment for the week. Those women were such a support to me and it was great getting to know them.
October was also a very eventful month. I turned 23 and my family and Alex took me out to Pacific Blues for a very nice and delicious meal! A week later on October 23rd this girl finally got her license! I got it just in time for the new job I had taken with the County of Napa as a Social Worker. It was very different than payroll, but I absolutely love what I do!
Since I got my license, my dad made a joke about how long it would take me to get a car. He said, "So if it took you six years to get your license, we shouldn't expect a car for another six year years then!" Thankfully, with the help of God I was able to get a car in November! I was definitely thankful this Thanksgiving, but not just for the car; my family, my boyfriend, his family, friends, my job. God is good. This Thanksgiving I got to spend it with Alex's family. It was tough at first to decide to go, but spending the holidays together was important to us. I enjoyed learning to play "Up the River, Down the River," a card game his family loves to play. It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious. The day after Thanksgiving, we woke up early to go find Christmas trees. I had never gone to get a Christmas tree. We either put up a fake tree or we bought one from Home Depot. This year, Alex's parents spoiled us and found us the most beautiful tree. Like really, when my mom saw it she had the biggest smile and said, "This is the kind of tree I have always wanted!"
Wow. December was here! Alex and I participated in the Landmark Advance Course, which is the second part of the Curriculum for Living. This weekend was very powerful for us. It opened up a new world in our relationship. We got the importance of what it means to take a stand for others. And again I was reminded of my ability of a leader who is small physically but a giant with her voice!
Usually when I go with Alex to visit his family, he drives. I mean makes since since I didn't have my license until 9 months into our relationship. However, this time, I drove all the way to the Sierra Valley, which is an hour north of Tahoe. Pretty big moment for me! We helped Alex's mom with the Christmas lights and we were able to get some Christmas shopping done too! Before I knew it, Christmas Eve was here. Alex spent Christmas Eve with my family and was part of the Secret Santa with my siblings. Christmas morning, at 4:30AM he left Napa to catch his flight to Reno so he could spend time with his family too. It was great being able to spend part of the Christmas holiday with him. Two days after Christmas, my parents celebrated their 30th Anniversary. We went out to dinner and then went bowling. It was so much fun seeing how my parents enjoyed their "family" date. That will definitely be something we do more often!
Last night, was a very simple one. Alex and I picked up Chinese food for my family. We stayed at home to enjoy it and then finished off the year playing Kemps, a very fun partner card game I used to play in high school. I'm glad I got to end the year with them! 2014 was a great year. I'm excited for the possibilities of 2015! Thank you everyone for a great year. Sending love your way!
Happy New Year!
This year my dear friend Mercedes Flores lost her dad in November and my great friend Kathryn Hackett lost her grandpa in December. This post is dedicated to their souls and those who left loved ones this year. May they rest in peace in the Kingdom of God. Say hello to my grandma up there! <3
