July

I've been home five days so far this month, but you won't hear me complaining! I think that traveling during summer vacations is what they're are all about.  Not to mention, the places I've been and the people I've been with are some of my most favorites ever.

The first week of the month I was in North Carolina, reaffirming that while I have been born and raised in California, it's not the state for me.  Not only does it have my amazing relatives, amazing scenery, perfect weather, and awesome towns but now it has my boyfriend.  I swear if my family decided to pack up and move there tomorrow, I'd go in a heartbeat.  Anyways we spent literally almost everyday in some sort of body of water and exploring new places.  I hadn't been that happy in awhile and it literally killed me to leave, but after finding out how expensive it is to change flights and honoring a commitment I already made, I very reluctantly did.

With one day to pack in between, I came home from N.C. and left for Tijuana, Mexico with 30 high school students and 22 adult and college students.  Our mission was to build a house for a family who didn't have a place to call their own.  This was my sixth Mission to Mexico trip, or M2M as we call it, and even though I honestly didn't want to be there for the first day or two, I'm so glad that I went.  The culture shock and significant impact that I had during my first few trips had worn off, but I was super excited and encouraged to see my kids being changed by their experiences.  The house was built in a day and a half, which let me tell you, shows just how hardworking this group of students was.  I think what really made me glad I went was that all three Mann sisters were there together for the first time.  Candace was a beast and pretty much planned and organized the whole trip herself and Becca was super open and vulnerable with us and I couldn't have been more proud to be their big sister.

Again, with only one day to do laundry and pack in between, we came home from Mexico and loaded up our trailer and Yukon for our yearly camping trip with the crew.  This year we did things differently and stayed at the amazing Sherman's cabin for the first four days and spent most of it on the lake at Don Pedro in two boats.  We water skied, wake boarded, and tubed til' all of us we're exhausted.  The plan was to spend the last three days of the week at my family's favorite place in California which is Pinecrest Lake, but that didn't happen.  The campsites in the area were literally completely full and booked up.  This is the first year in about six years that there's ever been a serious crowd like that.  Needless to say we were super bummed but we made a few phone calls and ended up camping at New Melones lake.  It was hotter than hell and not the best lake to lay around and relax at, but it was still super fun and enjoyable.

So for the rest of July I'll be home.  I'm gonna get to spend time with two of my favorite kids again and just hang out.  I've loved being gone but it is nice to be in my own bed in my own home.  I really hope everyone's summers are going great and you're making lots of memories to hold onto when we have to go back to school. 

Vow

I'm vowing that to the best of my ability and at the risk of losing any future job I might have in the field of journalism, I will not write a story that makes the criminal, culprit, or wrongdoer out to be the victim in a situation where other lives were affected by their actions.

Hello Summer!

I've been home for two weeks and I'm lovin it.  Family, friends, great weather, and lots of reading and sleep.  What could be better than that?! I don't really have a whole lot to write about but I will show you pictures of our first Carmel Beach trip/bonfire with (most of) the crew!

So this is Carmel Beach, that's missing most of its beach.  For some reason the water was higher than we've ever seen it before.  It was a lot more crowded than usual but we made it work. 

Momma, Steve, and I were working on our tans.  Like my visor?

 Some of the crew.

I love summer and hanging out with these people.

Andy, Steve, Becca, and me watching the sunset

The end.

Well not really because I need to tell you about the weather that day.  We were literally in our bath suits till right about when the sun got that low above. That never happens! Ok I'm done now.

Mother's Day and the Coming Weeks

Yesterday was Mother's Day! First off, I love my mom.  I think that she's amazing and if I end up being half the mom she is I'm gonna be super lucky.  This Mother's Day was a little different than those of past years.  All three of us girls, Candace, Becca, and I weren't able to actually be with mom.  The girls were on a Haiti retreat with their team and I was, well, here working.  Mom, dad, and Matt did however have a good weekend in Vegas!  I've been getting picture messages all weekend and it's been pretty cool.

In other news, my school semester is wrapping up with rapid speed!  I've got papers to write, poems to revise, and stories to create in a little under two weeks.  I think I can do it without panicking...I hope.  My job at the gym is wrapping up too.  My last shift is this coming Saturday.

Honestly I'm kinda sad that I'm leaving that job.  I really like all the weekend members that I've come to have relationships with.  Phyllis and her husband brought me a set of earrings a few days ago because I let them in ten minutes early when I get to the gym to open and get everything ready.  Ursula, a woman old enough to be my grandma, who comes in once a week to swim and calls me Mandy and always tells me that I have pretty hair.  Then there's Bruce who teases me about never leaving the gym because I'm always working when he comes to work out.  Jimmy is super funny and recently gave me a riddle that I'm still trying to figure out and he refuses to tell me what the answer is!

Anyways, there's a couple more members that I'm going to miss too but those are some of my favorites.  My manager is luckily keeping me as an active employee while I'm gone and hopefully he'll need me when I come back in August.

Well, that's about it for tonight.  Hopefully these last two weeks will go smoothly!  Goodnight everyone.

Missing Home Tonight

I'm missing home tonight because it's Rebecca's Junior prom.  She been to a few other proms and dances before this and not once have I been there.  Honestly I don't remember exactly why I've missed all the ones before tonight's dance, I think I must have been out of town or working.  I've never been able to see her all dolled up and ready to go dance the night away with Eddie (She's had the same date for all her dances so far and I think it's pretty rad).  Nights like tonight make me feel like I'm missing out on a lot, even more than I normally do on an everyday basis. 

There are a lot of things that I wish I could have done better as the oldest sister of four while I was still living at home.  I could have been more kind, more loving, and Lord knows I could have been more patient.  It kinda breaks my heart knowing that I can't get those years back.   

....


Well I've sat here staring at the screen for about five minutes now with tears streaming down my cheeks.  I can't really write anymore than what I already have so I think I'm gonna go.  Mom just sent me a picture of Becca and Eddie and they looked absolutely amazing.  I think my sister is the prettiest girl at the school.  = )

I'm Back

Spring break definitely put me in an internet funk.  Facebook has dropped seriously low on my list of priorities and unfortunately so has blogging.  I will make an effort to be back.

Break was great...yes it rhymed. I got robbed of some Christmas vacation time so it was great to go home for a while.  The highlight of the trip was the Wicked day.  Wicked as in the Broadway play that we saw in San Francisco.  It was amazing and the perfect first Broadway play.  The day was complete with a 15 seat van full of my favorite people ever and an amazing dinner and dessert at the Cheesecake Factory.

Since I've been back it's been all about hittin' them books and working hard.  Speaking of work! I picked up another permanent shift at the gym and decided to quit Hollister, where I was working three hours at the most a week.  I feel very good about this decision.  It was going to be four years since my first shift this coming August and it was time for a change.

Well that's about all I've got.  I feel bad for saying this but I had a furlough day which means no school and I've thoroughly enjoyed being lazy.  Have a good rest of the week!

  

All Quiet on the Blogging Front

I haven't really written in awhile, but I have good excuses I promise.  First it was crazy midterm time at school and most of my free time was devoted to studying.  Now I'm finally home and right now, would rather spend time with my family than be on the computer.  I'm still here though.  = )


So this isn't going to be a long post. Just one to say don't abandon my blog because I've got a lot to write about when I go back down south on Monday.  Have a good Easter everyone!

Blogging Besties

Corinne Elizabeth Walker was inspired to blog by yours truly!  Check it out. 

Her free therapy.

Dear God Almighty Mr. Mirkle!

This is from the last episode in Season 1.

Dear God Almighty Mr. Mirkle!

The freaking Blue Man Group is outside
Lorelai Gilmore's house.
No, wait, it's not them,
it's just the early rising, diner owner, Luke Danes.
What's he doing?
Fixing her porch rail.
That's right. He is. He's fixing her porch rail...
At six thirty in the morning!
"Why? Why?," she asks him. 
"It was broken.  It could hurt somebody," he explains.
Does he not know that she sleeps around there?
That she likes sleep, it makes her pretty,
and keeps her from killing her crazy friends?
She tells him to pound one more thing while he's out there,
his head.
And a for-sale sign out on the lawn because she's moving.
That's really two things,
the sign and his head.
He needs to do it in that order 'cause otherwise,
he'll be too dizzy to do the sign thing. 

This is the clip of the actual scene

The Greek World

Recently I've been slowly introduced to the Greek world of sororities and fraternities at CSU Northridge.  This semester Corinne rushed DZ and was given a bid, which means that she's in, and she really likes it.  It's been cool to hear about her experience and sometimes it even makes me a little jealous at all the friends that she's made so far.  Luckily I've been included in a few events and gatherings and I've come to realize some things.

Just like you have your typical high school stereotypes, there's a lot of stereotypes that go along with being Greek.  Not all of these girls are blond, dumb, and tramps just looking for their next victim to hook up with.  Not all of these guys are completely egotistical, jocks, pretty boys, and again just looking for the first girl that will jump into bed with them.  I mean I'm sure that there are some girls and boys in the system that are like that, but the ones that I've met through Corinne so far have been pretty cool.

Yes, there are those who love to party and have a good time, but I've haven't seen it get out of hand (yet).  There's normally a fair bit of alcohol flowing, but I've haven't seen anyone be irresponsible and rarely completely belligerent (yet).  Honestly I'm speaking as someone who has been to two events but it was refreshing to see.  I have heard of the sororities and frats that have their bad reputations but Corinne and I are smart enough just to stay clear of them.

Anyways, it's been fun to be learning about these groups that have been around for a long time and I'm hoping that turns out to be a good experience for Corinne and sometimes maybe me too.

Have a good weekend everyone!