yeah, it's time to change

i just got the most RANDOM voicemail from someone with whom i have not spoken in 7 years. she was my director when i traveled with the continentals (when I was 15) - Chantal Van den Heuvel. She's from Switzerland, and i remembered her full name. How did she get my number? i'd sure like to know. I've only had a cell phone for...what...2 or 3 years? I'm a newbie. the below 2 pictures are what i looked like at age 15.







Anyways...much has happened since i last posted. First of all - I GRADUATED COLLEGE. It's probably the weirdest experience I've yet encountered in my life. I am no longer in a "grade". I no longer have to attend class. It's great, to be sure, but strange, too. I feel a bit weightless and float-y and uncertain. Friends who have gone before have warned me about this time in my life, saying it's one of the most difficult times. Am i ready to embrace difficult? We shall see. In the meantimes, I'm drinking lots of tea, sleeping as much as possible, watching movies, making beanies and lighting candles because for the past 5 years, candles have been strictly prohibited in every living area on campus. i went out yesterday with graduation money in hand and purchased many an item - one of which was a citrus cilantro candle from Pier 1. sounds disgusting, but i assure you it smells ravishing. I was in wal-mart the other night, trying to pick out the perfect Glade scent for my new room (i moved, by the way) and as i stood there, perplexed as could be, trying to decide between hawaiian breeze and lavendar, a worker came up to me and said "Hawaiian Breeze! Best one EVER!" and then walked away. That was easy.

I have a new place. Literally. I moved to Corona where I'm now living with my Uncle Abel, Auntie Debbie and Cousin Joey (who is rarely here). I have my own room and TV and I'm allowed to raid the kitchen any time I want. Plus, i don't have to pay rent, which is a beautiful thing, I know. Not to mention their location - they're pretty much a block or exit away from anything and everything I could ever want or need. All of my favorites - Panera, Anthropologie, Chick-Fil-A, Trader Joe's, Salvation Army, LA Fitness, Barnes & Noble, CVS . . . the list is endless, friend.

alright, i have much to get done today. i would like to load all the pictures i took at graduation, the party and at kester park - but here is one of me and 3 of my favorite people. kelsey, me, kaitlyn and laura. laura is my sister. kaitlyn and kelsey are sisters. they have 2 more sisters - Michelle and Melissa. Melissa has been my best friend since 3rd grade but she couldn't make it to the party because her son was sick. she also has a daughter. it's weird having friends with kids. ok, enough info. here is the picture...