Oh, What a Night

 . . .and this is how I felt today . . .

I have come to the realization, as of tonight, that I absolutely LOVE to ride a bike. Let me explain how this came about. First, I have been meaning and wanting (really bad) to ride a bike since I have been with Linda. It seems like such a fun hobbie for an early Saturday morning, but I never really had the guts to do it by myself - yes, I am that shy. Well, tonight was a "oh what a night" kinda night. I was able to attend the Recapturing Beauty seminar talk by the inspiring Stephanie Nielson (known for Mormon message on beauty when she was in a plane crash). It was truly beautiful to hear her speak tonight, and exactly what I needed to hear at this time in my life. I feel that we sometimes get so caught up in ourselves and our flaws that we forget about our many strengths, our inner beauties and potentials. I know this may sound weird but I feel that we are all, to a certain point, extremely judgmental of ourselves and others. In one of my favorite classes now I have learned that how we perceive others is a refection of how we perceive ouselves. Our judgement towards other are a reflection of ourselves. Think about that - cause I do every time I'm making a judgement in my head. Something I realized I need to work on.I would also appropriately add Pres. Monson's beautiful talk in Relief Society Conference. I think too much about others thoughts towards me, but tonight I realized that that will not change, but that I am able to deal with it in a way that is comfortable for me, slowly but surely. Not that I don't want to change but it's such a long process to change a thought process that has been with you for so long. Personally, I can say that Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of me, my strengths and weakness. 

On this note, I will add that while sitting in the bench with the great company of Linda and Ryan, I felt like riding a bike because I was confident I could do it, even though I said the opposite out loud. So, Linda decided to let me use her bike so that I didn't have to walk home (she is way nice and considerate) and I took off. At first I was skeptical that I couldn't do it which physically affected the way I rode the bike. As I followed behind Linda and Ryan (such a hilarious sight) I decided to take off to my house. After crossing several cars and realizing that I probably looked ridiculous - it didn't matter. The wind was so cold but I loved how it numbed my skin and blew my hair out of my face. Something so simple seemed a lot more that night (called me a cheeseball, it's ok, I would too). I felt confident. I felt like I could do it and I did it. This is a huge, giant step for me. Did I look weird? check. Did I care? um no. I was doing what I wanted to do. Therefore, I chose the picture not because of Miley Cyrus, but because of her face and posture - as if she had discovered something great, just like I did tonight. A hit of self-doubt in the posture but realizing the joy of it in her eyes. And this is exactly how I felt tonight. 

The End

Meanwhile, I found this song earlier this week and absolutely loved it. Hope you do too.

I imagined making a contemporary routine with two girls dressed the same and a mirror in the middle. One would be on the self-conscious (sad, insecure, shy) side of the mirror, the other would be on the side that would show who she really was inside (she wanted to be care-free, happy, joyful). At the beginning they would dance to their emotions but slowly they the self-conscious one would realize she could not live through this her entire life so she decided to change her attitude but not herself. You can see them both merging by the way they perform the moves. In the end, she is satisfied with her realization and decision to live her desire. They become one. Well, in my mind it played out a lot more beautifully than it actually sounds here, haha. 

Best wishes and much love friends!

Asparagus, Lemons, and Happy Days

It's still summer . . . go figure . . . and I've really enjoyed it so far. There have been so much happening in so little time that I think my hands would be numb if I wrote it all; therefore, I will only summarize.

Lately there have been a few things that have happened that have really tested my patience, my resolve, my trust and my faith. I know that the experiences that I get to experience are for my learning and understanding but also to grow. I feel so happy after I've being able to look at the many blessing I receive every single day and know that I have a loving Heavenly Father that loves me. First of all, I love my Savior. Secondly, I love my Family. Thirdly, I love my friends.

This year my family has been invited to a gazillion weddings and what not, which I'm not complaining at all since I get to dress up. We went to a wedding of some people we knew from the ward and it was so beautiful! I think the correct word would be "fresh" and I will show you why . . .

Asparagus as centerpieces (I think I could have made a whole lot of asparagus for twenty meals!), then some beautiful lemons, a fresh outdoors and indoors. Not to mention: 1st floor - candy, cupcakes, crepes, Godiva milkshakes, etc; 2nd floor - cheese cubes, crackers, cake, lemonade, fruit; 3rd floor - the mansion's top; Outside - pool, meal, lounging, live band, and flies. This wedding = priceless (more like pricey but oh well). It was beautiful!

Now . . . next week I get to go out of the country to get eye surgery!! I will be able to see for the rest of my life!! YAY! My uncle is an optometrist and is one of the best in Mexico, and he is going to be performing the surgery - so excited! Thus, I cannot complain at the amazing summer I'm having. It has been a blesisng to be with my family and having a great time with friends. Updates coming soon!

much, much love!

Magical!

So, this month has been just about the most Magical I've had in a long time . . . and you may ask why? Well, where do I start:

First my family attended the Philipine Debut of Genedel Glory (a girl in our ward and our family are good friends). It was very fancy, fun and a very good cultural experience. We had so much fun as well as my dad who was on the dance floor the minute it was opened and sung along the Bohemian Rhapsody - and it was pretty hilarious :) But, we knew that the next day we would have to b e awake at 4 am to leave for Orlando, and what did we do? We stayed out until midnight!

Daddy and his favorite daughter :)

The four of us

Genedel with Dad and Blanca

So this is where dad was singing Bohemian Rhapsody - hilarious!

The next day we got to the airport to go to Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks - which are my favorite! Well, we got to Orlando safely and rented the Mantequilla ("the butter" a Toyota minivan - Yeah! ahaha). Anyways, we killed time trying to get to our house and shopping at Wal Mart. Linda was joining us later on at night and so Annie, Omar, Daddy, and I went to pick her up - but as we waited we took pictures all over the airport. When Linda finally arrived we were all really, really tired from running on 3 hrs of sleep and we still went on a midnight McDonald's run - so classy. Well, The next day was Sunday and we decided on going to Downtown Disney, Disney Quest and eat at the Planet Hollywood restaurant. I decided to call Mandy because she had called me the day before with good news and guess what?!? she's ENGAGED!! My best friend is engaged :) From then on the week went by so amazing - Disney World is literally my favorite place in the whole world and like I said: it was just Magical. My dream from there is to be in the Disney Hollywood Studios Park "Beauty and the Beast Musical." It is a 30 minute version of the movie and it's pretty much amazing. It's amazing how we have been to these parks 7 times already and every time I come I am taken away as if it was my first time. Along with this awesome week, we went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventures where the Happy Potter theme park is at and guess what?!? They had it opened for two hours the morning we went- the park doesn't open until the 18th :) So we were lucky to get a sneak peek and it was amazing!

The House & the "Mantequilla," the goofing off at the airport and the girls :)

The Three Girls at DisneyQuest and the Family at Disney's Magical Kingdom

Yes . . . this is the Harry Potter World!! Preview . . .

This is the show of the Beauty and the Beast I want to be in . . . :)

And well, I can show you 300 + pictures but this ones are only some of them (a very very small amount). Hope you all enjoy!

We finally got home from a very exhausting week and was glad to be home. But then yesterday I got the chance to catch up on my Glee Season Finale show and let me tell you it was about the most touching of all - it made me cry like a baby! I think it's because I can relate with the characters as it took me back to those great High School musical times I went through. I highly recommend it and watch it! The music was very well delivered and they had some classic songs with good arrangements. Touching.

Watch these . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k40iccZFWfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZQHjsMkedI - my fave :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzZCl7V34Vo&feature=related

Well, that's about my month so far and hopefully it will continue to be as magical as it has been. I've been very happy because I have the opportunity to be spending time with my family and doing things that I really enjoy - this summer is great!

much love

My New Summer Hobbies :)

So, this summer I decided start doing things on my spare time instead of watching t.v. etc. I have set a few goals for reading, going to institute (oh, my), and gym.

To start off, I decided that I was way over textbooks since I believe they are sooo boring and a waste of time to a certain point. Therefore, I decided to set my goal for 6 books this summer but I have already finished 3 of them so I'm going for like 15! I'm actually very excited to start reading and I feel that it really helps me take my mind of things that are going on and use my imagination. Sometimes, after I finish a book, I feel like writing one! I think it would be very fun and exciting.

I really Liked this one - highly recommend it!

Now, My next hobby is actually going to Wednesday night Institute - you heard right. I have been putting it off as much as possible but I thought about the importance of it and decided I needed it. So, I am now a student at Institute and I'm very excited because we are learning about the History of Christianity - really makes me think. The first week I went, I was extremely nervous and all of you know how nervous I get sometimes. I was shaking and when I got there - no institute for today: what? I was very, very relieved. I know this will be good for me and I am being very open to it, esp. with all it's social blessings, haha!

My third hobby is the gym! Finally, I'm very excited to have a membership at Lifetime Fitness. I have been taking Hot Yoga and let me tell you: it is extremely intense. You do yoga stretches and poses in a 100 degree room. I really like yoga and I have found it very relaxing - I highly recommend it. I have also been doing a bit less cardio and more machines that usual, and since then my body has been extremely sore but I'm definitely seeing results :)

I am very happy for my goals and feel very, very blessed to be home with my family at this time. If any of you have books to recommend me - let me know!

much love