New Beginnings, Continued...

I decided I should write a blog post about my sad news, although I'm not sure I want to get too detailed about it. I am a pretty positive and happy person and would rather not focus on the negative!

The main point is that we were pregnant. Then we got some concerning news that it may not be a successful pregnancy. Two days later, I found out everything was okay... Then about a week later, things were just not making sense to me, so I requested a more detailed ultrasound. It was at that appointment that we found out I miscarried. Talk about an emotional roller coaster. Although the news that we were pregnant was a bit of a surprise, we were just so excited and ready for the tiny blessing God would give us. Going through this has been surprisingly more difficult than I thought. Plans were being made, and I was determined to take on this amazing responsibility.

This happened just two weeks ago, but it feels like it has been months. It has been difficult for sure, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I also believe God has a perfect plan for us. Throughout my entire life, God has been faithful to me. His ways are perfect, and his plan for my life is perfect. I will never have the answers, but someday I will see how God can use this situation in my life to maybe help or encourage someone else. I know it has opened my eyes to others who are hurting, and it has helped me know how I can help them. It has helped me understand the value of relationships in my life - a lesson I definitely needed to learn.

One day at a time. :)

The New Beginning is Near

It's the beginning of the last day of 2012. As I lie here sick with a cold and covered in hives, I've decided to reflect on the great things that have happened this year. :)

First, I started off the year right by getting married. Great decision, especially because the person I married also happened to be my best friend. He came into my life at just the right time.

They say the first year of marriage is the most difficult. Sure, we've had plenty of disagreements, but we've come out stronger because of them. The biggest thing I've learned is that sometimes your love for your spouse needs to outweigh your love for being right, and that not every little thing is worth fussing over. I'm sure that's a lesson I'll be reminded of again and again in the future. Nonetheless, I've enjoyed every minute of having my husband. He is always putting my needs before his own, and he shows me respect and love on a daily basis. It is so great to have a partner in life to dream with and love God with. I really do look forward to every moment we get to spend together. I'd be crazy to call that "difficult!"

We've gone through some big transitions together including moving for the first time, and me getting my first "real" job. Moving was not that fun of an experience; my new job, however, turned out to be a huge blessing. I perfectly remember leaving the interview after they told me I got the job. Tears of joy were all over the place right when I saw Chad. I love that I have a job that doesn't seem like "work."

As a result of my employment, we got to buy some new furniture which included a new couch and a nice leather ottoman. Around the same time, we got a kitten. Precious is probably the coolest cat I've ever had. She fetches, hides in boxes, is cuddly and even comes when we call her. It's great to have another personality around the house, not to mention someone else to blame things on. The only drawback is her love of clawing our ottoman. I promised myself I wouldn't let any animal control my home, and here we are covering our nice furniture with blankets so she'll be less tempted to scratch. I guess it's a temporary trade off until we figure out what to do. She's way too cute to give up.

This year we also got to experience some adventures. Many of those were spent at Disneyland, our favorite place. We have made so many happy memories there and were so blessed to have annual passes, which is why we were sure we'd enjoy a honeymoon at the Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii. We had so much fun that someday we hope to go back. For my birthday, Chad took me to San Jose to show me his favorite fancy restaurant. It was so fun to get all dressed up and try to remember how to use multiple forks. I discovered that sauce made from wine is the best tasting sauce ever, and that duck and lamb taste pretty delicious too. We rented a car (with a sunroof - so cool!) and drove to Monterey to see the aquarium and look at the candy and art shops in the area. Then we went to San Francisco and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was exciting to cross that off the bucket list. We also took a trip to Hollywood for my mom's birthday. We went to the Wax Museum, the Guiness Book of World Records place, La Brea tar pits and the Hardrock Cafe.  We also got to enjoy an awesome couple's retreat for two days at Ironwood Christian camp. So. Much. Fun.

Probably the biggest blessing this year was finding out I was pregnant. Chad's cousin had just announced they were pregnant at Thanksgiving, and we had just been talking about that, thinking we might be. I took one test and it was negative. I waited a couple days and took another, since I knew my body was acting a little strange, and sure enough there was the plus sign. Chad had just finished putting up the Christmas tree when I went to show him the test. It was exciting and a little scary to know that our lives were going to be different from that point on.

We were so excited to tell our families. We told my parents by giving them sweatshirts that said Granny and Gramps. It was so cool to see their excitement. My dad went on and on about names and plans for the future. I'm so glad we waited to tell them when they were both together. We told Chad's family at our weekly family dinner with his grandma, parents, sister and bro-in-law and their kids. Chad said the prayer and toward the end said, "and thank You that Cassidy, Carson and Connor are going to get a cousin. Amen." They looked around confused for a second, and then big smiles spread across their faces. It was priceless. I'm so blessed that we have families who love us and are there for us when we need them. I'm so blessed that our relationships are healthy and happy.

As the year comes to a close, I want to reflect on the positives, and about all the positives that have come out of the negatives. I've learned things I never would have it if weren't for the occasional bad day. The good days will give you great memories, but it's the bad days that give you a chance to look back and laugh and be thankful you have a good story to tell. Right now it's not that funny that my entire body itches and my lips have ballooned to Angelina Jolie status, but maybe tomorrow or the next day when I'm better, it will be. I'm thankful for this time that forces me to look at the good in my life and know that I am fully and completely blessed beyond measure. I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store.

How to Prepare for the Real World While You're Still in College

Okay. I am writing this post in a hurry. I just felt the need to inform those of you who are still in college and wondering what it will be like when you get out there and apply for jobs.

Since I am currently applying for jobs, let me give you a few quick tips!

Stay close with your professors.
Who cares if everyone else thinks you are a teacher's pet? If you went to a college like mine (and if you were a prudent student), odds are, your professors will still want to help you get a job once you graduate. Keep that connection! Nurture it! (Thank you Dr. Pearson for ALL your help!)

Remain friends with your classmates. If not friends, network buddies.
Just because your Facebook friend posts every five minutes about what their cat threw up or how hot it is outside, doesn't mean it's the smartest idea to delete them. Keep up with your classmates, especially those who excel, because they can definitely become your competition in the job market later... OR you could actually end up working with them. It happened to me! True story. (Good story, too).

Do your BEST in the classroom.
This applies to my fellow journalism friends, or anyone else. I have a few articles I wrote for my campus newspaper that I am really proud of, and others I know I could have done better with. I have been asked multiple times to bring writing samples to interviews. Even if the employer doesn't ask, I still bring them. Also, make sure you try to write in different styles and about different things. What if you apply for a sports writing job or a job that requires you to do heavy research about car insurance? Write stories that are reasearch heavy, magazine style, how-to, long, short... Include statistics; write about people, places, food; write a restaurant review; write about things to do in the area. Write things people will want to read - things that are sensational, weird, shocking (but don't embellish the truth, of course), informative, and write about things that give people that warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

Don't be afraid to try something new.
Try freelance writing. Submit an article to a local magazine or newspaper--you will be surprised how much they would like your content that costs them nothing! Make sure it's relevant to their publication. Edit it perfectly, and turn it in early. If you do a good job, that's another published article you can show to an employer.

Get involved.
To my journalism people: Apply for an editor's position. Join the PR club. Write for the yearbook. Get an internship. Become an R.A. Take initiative and get into a position of leadership. Make it your goal to create a beautiful resume that employers can't wait to get their hands on! The more stuff you do, the prettier that resume looks.

Make yourself more valuable by enhancing your skills.
This is a huge deal! The more hats you can wear in a work environment, the more job security you will have. Graphic design, HTML, photography, etc... even politics and history. Learn as much as you can from the classes you are taking. You never know what hat you will need to wear in the future.

Stay up-to-date on the latest!
As a journalist, you NEED a Twitter account to help you keep up with the latest news. Knowing what's up helps you spark intelligent conversations... and what employer doesn't want the assurance that they hired a sharp, intelligent employee? Staying in-the-know will also spark ideas for articles. You should always be writing and reading.

Finally,
When you graduate and get that job, keep track of the things you do and the projects you work on.
Update your resume every couple of months. You never know if/when your own circumstances or your employer's can leave you out of a job. Remembering the skills you have learned will help you impress in the interviews to come.

There you have it. A quick list of what you need to do to become successful once you are free from college. One last bit of advice: Don't be afraid to graduate because you WILL make it, and don't give up searching for that job that will lead you toward your long-term career goal.

Can you think of a tip to add to this list? Please comment below!

Good luck!

Ticking talk

I remember sitting at my desk in that freezing-cold classroom. Two rows back; three rows across was where I sat, already waiting for recess to begin. I stared innocently toward the front of the room as my fifth grade teacher talked about all the things we had to look forward to in life. She continued talking for a really long time about everything from wearing deodorant to getting married, so I was pretty sure she had forgotten her lesson plan. But of all the things she mentioned that day, one thing stood out: college. One day, I would be in college. It was a concept so complex; so intangible to me, that I was sure it would never happen in a billion years. Besides, college was only for geniuses like Einstein. I just could not imagine myself surviving something so monumental as an extended education, let alone the fifth grade.

I received an e-mail yesterday about going to a senior class meeting. Apparently, according to that e-mail, I only have 17,107,200 seconds, or better said, 198 days left until I graduate with my BA. Time has definitely flown by. As I read those numbers, I thought back to that classroom; that speech; that moment in time when I thought my future was lightyears away. Then, a verse popped into my mind: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." I discovered that verse on a chocolate bar. When I was a senior in high-school, my mom surprised me with a box full of graduation invitation candy bars. On every label was a picture of me, directions to my graduation, and Psalm 90:12. It has been one of my favorite verses ever since.

At this moment, I only have 197 days left in college. That little e-mail was a big reminder: Life is short. I have no choice but to soak in what I learn in every class, savor the joy of every activity, and cherish every little moment spent with friends and family. Those future plans that seem like they will never happen are sure to happen soon enough. For now it's time to start living. My days are numbered.

*This post completed for a class: JRN371

Behind the "scenes"

I could not have planned a better summer vacation. This summer, instead of taking a trip to Hawaii or a nice resort, I was able to complete an internship at my local newspaper, the Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror.

I couldn't believe how each day held a new surprise. Not only did I get to choose what I wrote about, but I also got to take pictures of fires, accident scenes and special events. As a staff reporter, I had a "backstage pass" to the city. I had the "authority" to interview important people in my community and catch their vision for a better Yucaipa.

Each day was unpredictable. I was often called to events late at night or in the middle of the day. I got to see SWAT in action when one man locked himself in his house and threatened to shoot police. I photographed a car that was split completely in half after it crashed into another vehicle because of a drunk driver. I watched as fire personnel doused the flames of a house that contained a deceased elderly woman. While some scenes were painful to see, I counted it a privilege to help cover these stories and gain experience in the process.

I was able to meet interesting people like local artists and a teen model. I was able to fly in a very tiny airplane with the "Young Eagles" and take a picture of Yucaipa from the sky.

From this experience, I learned to love the newsroom. Working, communicating and writing stories about the most interesting things and people proved to be far more exciting than any vacation I could have planned. I was sad to leave, yet excited to put my experiences into practice this fall at my school's newspaper.

*This post completed for a class: JRN371

Choose happiness :)

Stroller mania

People are so amusing. I went to California Adventure for my birthday, and found that women or men pushing strollers are extremely assertive. If you do not get out of their way, they WILL run you over. I had about 4 near-death experiences.

Sadly, the kid in this picture was bonked in the head with some lady's purse. Her dad was speeding down the walk-way, assuming the crowds would part. I guess the plan to get ahead backfired a little bit.

Twenty-something

Today, I am officially a twenty-something. After church I met my mom for lunch at Mimi's Cafe, and we decided to share a yummy turkey sandwich. We were sitting there, wondering how I got to be this old, when I decided to say: "Mom, just think: 21 years ago, I was looking up at you with these very same eyes... and a little tiny head." I meant it to be funny, but in a serious tone she said, "Don't say stuff like that." Before I knew it, her eyes welled up with tears and we both started boo-hoo crying right there in Mimi's!

I could not pull myself together for about 2 minutes, and neither of us could look each other in the eye. We laughed at ourselves and cried some more. I tried to talk about the pretty flowers on the table or our fun plans for the day, but the thought just kept coming back of how time is flying by. Life is so good. Today I was reminded of how important it is to savor every moment.

Five o'clock somewhere

Aren't beer commercials the funniest? I'm going to be 21 in a few days. Technically, I'll be "legal." Allowed to drink, go to clubs, gamble... and all that jazz. It is crazy to me how much pressure I've been getting from people. People saying I should go drinking and have a good time. It seems like it's the thing to do.

I don't mean to sound like a goody-goody, but I really think there are other ways to have fun. I don't need to go drinking just because I'm allowed to. I would like to remember all my fun experiences. I don't want to worry that I'll do something totally stupid and I won't even remember it. Even social drinking. Why do I have to? It is totally okay to just not drink. Isn't it?? I'm not saying that everyone should have my same opinion. Just know that it's okay to not do what everybody else is doing.

I got called to take pictures of an accident recently. A Ford Focus was going well above the speed limit and veered into oncoming traffic. The Ford smashed into another car and one teenage passenger flew through the windshield. The 27 year-old driver and the other teen survived with serious injuries, and the driver in the other vehicle was uninjured. The one teen was rushed to the hospital. A heartbeat was detected for a short time, but then it stopped. The teen was killed. Had the driver been sober, this ugly incident wouldn't have happened.

Those funny commercials sure make alcohol look good, don't they? They don't show people puking their guts out. They don't show people acting like complete idiots. They don't show people flying through windshields or getting in car wrecks.

I just can't figure out why people think drinking is cool. There is no social mandate that says we must all drink alcohol at the age of 21. If you don't want to, you don't have to. Don't be stupid. Enough said.

Letter to the ice cream man

Dear Ice cream man (or woman),

I would love it if you would slow down in my neighborhood. Today, once again, I heard you coming down my street. You see, I was really excited because I had just finished my delicious turkey sandwich. I heard your song, and at that moment I knew that a chocolate something was just what I needed to top off my meal. I immediately got up and ran to our cute little change box on the hutch and grabbed plenty of quarters. I darted outside... only to find that you were gone. The music had stopped. You were nowhere in sight.

But that didn't stop me.

I grabbed my scooter, put my quarters in my pocket and began my search. I thought that you must be stopped somewhere close by, giving some cute little kids their own serving of delicious ice cream. But no. I went around the entire block looking for you. I burned off an entire ice cream in calories, sir. I am wondering why - during this tough economic crisis - you chose to blaze through my neighborhood. I guess I will never know.

Until next time.

Coffee smiles

Whenever I feel lonely or bummed out, I go to Starbucks. I can't help but laugh to myself when I go there in the mornings. What other place would I find so many different uniforms? In line the other day, there was someone in scrubs, someone in a suit, and someone in boots and a cowboy hat. What a sense of community.

The employees tie it all together. I can always count on them to tell me "hi" when I walk in the door, and smile as I order a complicated drink. Every time they accidentally put whipped cream on the top of my white mocha frappuccino, they make me a new one, no questions asked. I don't even care that they're paid to do it. They have to be nice to me no matter what. I love that. I wish church was like Starbucks. HA.

Material girl

"Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?" Ariel the mermaid was just beginning her collection of interesting things. For some people, "things" can go a little overboard.

My mom recently got me hooked on a show called "Clean House." The Clean House team goes to insanely cluttered homes like this one to make the owners sell some of their most prized possessions. The proceeds are matched (up to a thousand dollars) and the money goes to make the house clean and beautiful. In the last few episodes, I watched as people hugged their Harley Davidson T-shirt collection, their giant cigarette-shaped lamp, their presents from last Christmas and their late Uncle Bob's broken jukebox. Even when the outcome of selling their "foolishness" benefits their future living space, home-owners are almost always reluctant to part with their precious things.

Things. Sayings and Bible verses seem to flood into my head. "You can't take it with you." "Old things pass away." Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." I keep wondering what I would really do if the Clean House team came to my home. Would they be prying my precious things from my hands--begging me to sell so that I'd have a great space to live in by the end of the show? If Ariel's statue of Prince Eric was not destroyed, would she have gone after the real thing?

Tune in next Wednesday at 10/9c on the Style channel to see another transformation.