Tuesday, August 18, 2009
My job
I’ve been asked a lot about my “new” job, I’ve been there about a month and a half, and I’m loving it! I work for a company that has a contract to do all the food for Microsoft, and I’m a catering runner. When I get in (between 4:30 and 6:30am) first thing I look at the orders I have for the day and I start to get ready for my first order. When I take an order I take all of the food and drinks that have been ordered by the client, I also take a few things to make the orders look nice. When I get to the conference room I set up a linen and table runner, and then set up the coffee and the food. If its cold food, the food is set on platters, if it is hot food, it goes in a chaffer, to keep the food hot. After the breakfast orders I get ready for the lunch orders, if I go bake to the same room that I delivered breakfast I will bus out breakfast before I set up lunch. Sometimes I have to stay to deliver afternoon snacks (around 2-3pm) but most of the time I’m off work around that time. Some days I get to do some prep work in the kitchen, sometimes our kitchen sometimes one of the café kitchens. I’m doing my best to learn as much as I can, as well as learn as many different jobs as I can so that I can get a promotion. Thank you to everyone for your love a support and for being interested in what I’m doing!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Michelle's Graduation!
This weekend I had the opportunity to see my little sister graduate from college. It was amazing to see the culmination of the last four years of her life. The weekend was full of family, friends, laughs, and smoke?
We flew in to Burbank and then drove north to Santa Barbara. We knew that there was a wild fire in Santa Barbara (the second one in 6 months) but we had no idea what to expect.
Our fist night we went to Michelle’s track and field banquet, it was a little long but fun.
Little did we know it was going to be dinner and a show.
The next day we woke up covered in a thin layer of ash that had come in through the windows overnight. After breakfast
we went for a walk on the wharf …
Then headed to the beach,
where Michelle and I compared skin color
I’ll let you be the judge about which looks better.
Friday night was Michelle’s baccalaureate, which had to be moved from Westmont to Santa Barbara City College because the campus had to be evacuated. It was a beautiful service in a beautiful setting.
Saturday morning was commencement, it was so incredible to watch Michelle walk across the stage, and she was so beautiful!
After the ceremony we went to a potluck with Michelle’s friends
and then went out to a nice dinner with the family.
Sunday morning Michelle, dad, and I woke up early to watch the sunrise,
it was too foggy to really see anything, however we did not complain about the fog because it helped so much with the firefighting efforts.
We went to church and then out to lunch, after lunch we went to the beach again for a little bit and then it was time to go.
But not before a quick stop in Summerland in which Michelle showed off her amazing avocado picking ability.
It was such a great trip and having gotten the chance to take Michelle to college for her freshman year and then to get to be there for her graduation was something that I will always keep close to my heart. I’m now home missing my sister with lots of memories, some great pictures and a wicked sunburn.
We flew in to Burbank and then drove north to Santa Barbara. We knew that there was a wild fire in Santa Barbara (the second one in 6 months) but we had no idea what to expect.
This is what we saw from the freeway coming into SB.
Our fist night we went to Michelle’s track and field banquet, it was a little long but fun. Little did we know it was going to be dinner and a show. The next day we woke up covered in a thin layer of ash that had come in through the windows overnight. After breakfast we went for a walk on the wharf … Then headed to the beach, where Michelle and I compared skin colorI’ll let you be the judge about which looks better. Friday night was Michelle’s baccalaureate, which had to be moved from Westmont to Santa Barbara City College because the campus had to be evacuated. It was a beautiful service in a beautiful setting.
Saturday morning was commencement, it was so incredible to watch Michelle walk across the stage, and she was so beautiful! After the ceremony we went to a potluck with Michelle’s friends
and then went out to a nice dinner with the family.Sunday morning Michelle, dad, and I woke up early to watch the sunrise,
it was too foggy to really see anything, however we did not complain about the fog because it helped so much with the firefighting efforts. We went to church and then out to lunch, after lunch we went to the beach again for a little bit and then it was time to go.
But not before a quick stop in Summerland in which Michelle showed off her amazing avocado picking ability.
It was such a great trip and having gotten the chance to take Michelle to college for her freshman year and then to get to be there for her graduation was something that I will always keep close to my heart. I’m now home missing my sister with lots of memories, some great pictures and a wicked sunburn.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Rock and roll!
While Michelle was home over Christmas she was telling me about a half marathon she wanted to run this summer and asked me if I would run it with her, and I said yes! I have never been a “runner” and to be completely honest since high school I’ve struggled with exercise. So since Christmas time I’ve been trying to get into a good running routine, I’ve defiantly been getting better, but I’m having a hard time with consistency, the story of my life! I signed up to do a boot camp though church that started last week and it was great, really hard, but it’s great to be pushed and to meet new people. I’m really hoping that this is the beginning of a new healthier lifestyle for me. I know that as I get older exercise becomes more and more important and also if I want to get into better shape the longer I wait the hard it will be to drop the extra pounds. Anyway I’m hoping for some prayers for motivation and for help with consistency.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Day
Oh how I love Christmas time! Not only is it a time to celebrate my (our) savors birth, it is also a time that I get together with all my siblings; which is something we don’t do enough, because we are not all in the same state. I missed some family last night because of the snow and ice on the ground, I was bummed however I had a great night with Joe and my close family. I am so thankful for my friends and family and that we have this time of year when I can look back and reflect and be thankful.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
This is from today's LA Times
Just to warn you this story brought me to tears, not that that's hard to do; very moving none the less.
Bill Plaschke November 18, 2008
Harrison Hill kicked through the smoke of uncertainty, the soot of fear, finding the back of the net with a solid right foot on a spotless white ball. He kicked the first goal, the only goal his Westmont College team would need, then he turned and ran. He ran past the teammate who, at this moment, owned only the uniform on his back. He ran past a teammate who had prepared for the game by searching Craigslist for a place to sleep. He ran off the field, under the covered bench area, and into the arms of one who lost more than any of them. In last week's Montecito fire, the home of Westmont Coach Dave Wolf burned to the ground. Hill hugged his teary-eyed teacher and lifted him to the sky."This is the first brick in your new house," he whispered. This is how the healing always begins, doesn't it? A community torn by tragedy searches for a reason to find each other. A group of athletes reaches beyond itself to become that reason. The healing, it seems, always starts with a game. On Monday afternoon, on a pristine field abutted again against clear and majestic hills, there was a game like few others. Westmont College played Azusa Pacific University for the Golden State Athletic Conference championship and a spot in the NAIA national tournament. They played even though Westmont, a private Montecito college with an enrollment of 1,347, had been shut down since last week because of the wildfire. They played even though 15% of the campus had been destroyed, including faculty housing for about two dozen teachers and a handful of dorms for 50 students. They played even though they were supposed to play on Saturday, with no rest and no preparation, but the game was delayed by request of Azusa Pacific. That’s right. Imagine that. Azusa Pacific could have won by forfeit, yet the defending national champions insisted on postponing the game until they could bring the bedraggled Westmont soccer players to their campus, house them, feed them, and get them ready to play."At the end of the day, that title can burn up and those rings can melt away," said Phil Wolf, Azusa Pacific's coach and brother of the Westmont coach. "Sports are about relationships, family, brotherhood."So, heavy underdogs with heavy minds, the Westmont players showed up on the Azusa campus last weekend with little chance of even paying attention until the game."I couldn't even believe we were here," said Zach George, a freshman whose dorm room burned down, leaving him with nothing, not even his wallet or keys. "We had lost so much."But by the time they stepped on the Azusa Pacific field Monday, they had found something. It was on the other sideline. It was standing five deep, the length of the field, stretching beyond the fences behind the goals, shrieking and cheering and chanting. It was their people. It was their school. Westmont was officially closed, but its heart had opened to pour out several hundred students and faculty who had driven two hours -- some even on a chartered bus -- to cheer for the first sign of post-fire life. The cheers of "West-mont" filled the humid air, far stronger than the remaining faint whiff of smoke. It sometimes even drowned out the "A-P-U" cheers from locals who made this gathering of about 500 people the biggest crowd in Azusa Pacific soccer history. "I know this has been said before, but this time it's true," said Westmont freshman Austin Crowder, who was painted in the school colors of red and white. "We're here to show how we will rise from the ashes."The Westmont players saw this, felt it, huddled around their coach before the game and choked back tears and prayed about it. By the time the game started, the burning had returned, only this time from within."There was no way we were losing this game," said senior midfielder Jonathon Schoff. "I mean, no chance, not an option, no way."The fans never quieted. The players never slowed. And no, there was no chance Westmont was losing this game. The Warriors beat the bigger, stronger, faster Cougars, 2-0, in a match that didn't feel that close. They seemingly won every contested ball. They appeared to win every race to every corner. They scored twice in the second half, both goals followed by runs directly into the coaches' arms. Just as the emotion fueled Westmont, it drained Azusa Pacific, the classy hosts overcome by their own generosity."There was so much going for them, the fans, the momentum, the situation, it was too much for us to overcome," said junior midfield Eric Winblad. "We almost felt like the bad guys out there."That's sad, because rarely in Southern California sports has there been a better show of sportsmanship than this, Azusa Pacific sacrificing its chance at a title defense to give Westmont a fair shot at taking it. As impressive as the resilience of the conquerors was the kindness of the conquered. Goodness, the school didn't even charge admission to the game and offered the Westmont fans a free lunch of pizza and salad."I've lost a lot, but right now, I can't think of one thing I need," said Westmont's Dave Wolf. "The people of Azusa Pacific have given us everything."Monday's game ended, and the Westmont fans streamed onto the field, surrounding their heroes, singing, chanting, then coming together for a most amazing final embrace. They tunneled. That's right, just like parents in a youth soccer game, they lined up across from each other, stretched out their arms, clasped hands, and formed a tunnel through which the players ran. Darn thing stretched about 50 yards, from Azusa toward Montecito, from despair to hope. Wolf will soon begin a daunting search for a home for himself, his wife and their five children. But for a few minutes Monday, anything was possible, the sixth-place Warriors advancing to the national tournament, scheduled to host a first-round match next weekend even though they don't know if they still have a field."I know it's not a very sophisticated answer, but when you ask how I'm feeling about today, I can say only one thing to everyone," said Dave Wolf, staring red-eyed into a collection of kids dancing, laughing, rising from those ashes. "Thank you."
bill.plaschke@latimes.com
Bill Plaschke November 18, 2008
Harrison Hill kicked through the smoke of uncertainty, the soot of fear, finding the back of the net with a solid right foot on a spotless white ball. He kicked the first goal, the only goal his Westmont College team would need, then he turned and ran. He ran past the teammate who, at this moment, owned only the uniform on his back. He ran past a teammate who had prepared for the game by searching Craigslist for a place to sleep. He ran off the field, under the covered bench area, and into the arms of one who lost more than any of them. In last week's Montecito fire, the home of Westmont Coach Dave Wolf burned to the ground. Hill hugged his teary-eyed teacher and lifted him to the sky."This is the first brick in your new house," he whispered. This is how the healing always begins, doesn't it? A community torn by tragedy searches for a reason to find each other. A group of athletes reaches beyond itself to become that reason. The healing, it seems, always starts with a game. On Monday afternoon, on a pristine field abutted again against clear and majestic hills, there was a game like few others. Westmont College played Azusa Pacific University for the Golden State Athletic Conference championship and a spot in the NAIA national tournament. They played even though Westmont, a private Montecito college with an enrollment of 1,347, had been shut down since last week because of the wildfire. They played even though 15% of the campus had been destroyed, including faculty housing for about two dozen teachers and a handful of dorms for 50 students. They played even though they were supposed to play on Saturday, with no rest and no preparation, but the game was delayed by request of Azusa Pacific. That’s right. Imagine that. Azusa Pacific could have won by forfeit, yet the defending national champions insisted on postponing the game until they could bring the bedraggled Westmont soccer players to their campus, house them, feed them, and get them ready to play."At the end of the day, that title can burn up and those rings can melt away," said Phil Wolf, Azusa Pacific's coach and brother of the Westmont coach. "Sports are about relationships, family, brotherhood."So, heavy underdogs with heavy minds, the Westmont players showed up on the Azusa campus last weekend with little chance of even paying attention until the game."I couldn't even believe we were here," said Zach George, a freshman whose dorm room burned down, leaving him with nothing, not even his wallet or keys. "We had lost so much."But by the time they stepped on the Azusa Pacific field Monday, they had found something. It was on the other sideline. It was standing five deep, the length of the field, stretching beyond the fences behind the goals, shrieking and cheering and chanting. It was their people. It was their school. Westmont was officially closed, but its heart had opened to pour out several hundred students and faculty who had driven two hours -- some even on a chartered bus -- to cheer for the first sign of post-fire life. The cheers of "West-mont" filled the humid air, far stronger than the remaining faint whiff of smoke. It sometimes even drowned out the "A-P-U" cheers from locals who made this gathering of about 500 people the biggest crowd in Azusa Pacific soccer history. "I know this has been said before, but this time it's true," said Westmont freshman Austin Crowder, who was painted in the school colors of red and white. "We're here to show how we will rise from the ashes."The Westmont players saw this, felt it, huddled around their coach before the game and choked back tears and prayed about it. By the time the game started, the burning had returned, only this time from within."There was no way we were losing this game," said senior midfielder Jonathon Schoff. "I mean, no chance, not an option, no way."The fans never quieted. The players never slowed. And no, there was no chance Westmont was losing this game. The Warriors beat the bigger, stronger, faster Cougars, 2-0, in a match that didn't feel that close. They seemingly won every contested ball. They appeared to win every race to every corner. They scored twice in the second half, both goals followed by runs directly into the coaches' arms. Just as the emotion fueled Westmont, it drained Azusa Pacific, the classy hosts overcome by their own generosity."There was so much going for them, the fans, the momentum, the situation, it was too much for us to overcome," said junior midfield Eric Winblad. "We almost felt like the bad guys out there."That's sad, because rarely in Southern California sports has there been a better show of sportsmanship than this, Azusa Pacific sacrificing its chance at a title defense to give Westmont a fair shot at taking it. As impressive as the resilience of the conquerors was the kindness of the conquered. Goodness, the school didn't even charge admission to the game and offered the Westmont fans a free lunch of pizza and salad."I've lost a lot, but right now, I can't think of one thing I need," said Westmont's Dave Wolf. "The people of Azusa Pacific have given us everything."Monday's game ended, and the Westmont fans streamed onto the field, surrounding their heroes, singing, chanting, then coming together for a most amazing final embrace. They tunneled. That's right, just like parents in a youth soccer game, they lined up across from each other, stretched out their arms, clasped hands, and formed a tunnel through which the players ran. Darn thing stretched about 50 yards, from Azusa toward Montecito, from despair to hope. Wolf will soon begin a daunting search for a home for himself, his wife and their five children. But for a few minutes Monday, anything was possible, the sixth-place Warriors advancing to the national tournament, scheduled to host a first-round match next weekend even though they don't know if they still have a field."I know it's not a very sophisticated answer, but when you ask how I'm feeling about today, I can say only one thing to everyone," said Dave Wolf, staring red-eyed into a collection of kids dancing, laughing, rising from those ashes. "Thank you."
bill.plaschke@latimes.com
When your hut is on fire...
I was sent this via email by a few friends, which means you have also received. However on the off chance you haven't seen this it is a great little story...
*When your hut is on fire...*
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.
*The Moral of This Story:* It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
*P.S.* You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.God Bless
*When your hut is on fire...*
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.
*The Moral of This Story:* It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
*P.S.* You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.God Bless
Saturday, November 15, 2008
My sister goes to school at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA and her school was affected by the "Tea Fire" that started Thursday night. Yesterday was a tough day but everyone is ok and the fire is now out.
This is a view from the air of Montecito, the small town where the fire did the most damage.
And what’s left of the Physics building.
This is a view from the air of Montecito, the small town where the fire did the most damage.This is what’s left of the Psychology building, one of the oldest buildings on campus.
And what’s left of the Physics building.
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