Samuel <3

Sam visited this past week, which was fabuloso! We were busy the entire time doing fun things and enjoying the sun && eachother's company. Here is what we did.
Thursday: After I was done babysitting, he swooped me up and took me out to dinner at BJ's (which is delicious, but I always leave feeling really full and slightly sick after the pazookie's...hmm)
Friday: Spent the afternoon shopping at Pier 1, picking up some sweet stuff for mamasan, with Sam and Jaimie. Then we had a family birthday dinner for Peggy and Stef at our house (so much fun- i love them all so so much!)
Saturday: Went to Pike Place Market with Sam and mom, bought some BEAUTIFULLY enormous sunflowers and ate lunch at Matt's in the Market (thanks to Dean's recccomendation).
Sunday: Went garage sale hunting for a queen size bed frame and a dresser...was pretty successful for finding a cute dresser for $20 AND they gave me a rocking chair too! both in really good condition, but I will def. be sproucing them up with lots of flava!
Monday: Went with Sam to Seattle to watch his little brother, Max, play 2 baseball games! It was a lot of fun && plus, when we were leaving, we got a glimpse at the Barcelona Soccer team practice at UW's soccer field. It was awesome..although I couldn't understand a word anyone was saying....
Tuesday: Went on a trecherous hike on Mt. Si. It was crazy!! Either that or...I'm incredibly out of shape. Probably the latter of the two, but still, it was tough. But definitely beautiful.
Wednesday: Went out to lunch at Panera and then had to bid Samuel farwell.

And now I'm one sad and lonely girl :(
But it was a lot of fun! I always love when he visits......
I will post some pictures of our adventures real soon....stay tuned.
<3 J

India Arie

The song that's been playing over and over again in my head:

The Heart of the Matter -India Arie

(you can listen to this song at --->) http://www.last.fm/music/India.Arie/_/The+Heart+Of+The+Matter

It's a beautiful song, full of truth and the awakening of what it means to forgive.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

<3 J

The Okazeeee Vacazeeee

Lake Coeur d'Alene baby!! We did it up this summer. And had a blasty blast while doing it! I never pictured myself in Idaho...but honestly, I had the time of my life. The vacation was so laid back and relaxing..but filled with so much fun and energy at the same time. I got to spend a week with the people I love most, and I guess that's all I can really ask for. We had such great times, we made ever-lasting memories ("HARD LEFT!!!!" dad cranks the boat's steering wheel to avoid hitting the bottom) and I got to bring my doggies too

Here is Nicole ( my brother's lady friend). She was FABULOUS.

Sam got up on the wakeboard. It was a very proud moment for me :)Such a stud, huh?
My brother is a pro at wakeboarding.. he made it look waaayyy too easy.

Slicin' up that water!

Sam is so cute. I can't handle how smokin my man is! He is my favorite travel partner (besides you, mom!!!)

It's time to party!

The gang sitting by the fire and enjoying a beautiful 4th of July. So many fireworks and delicious 'smores!

Kelvin diving off the 1oft pole.

Sam being a macho man.

Ok, so apparently I took more pictures of Sam than I thought.. but I can't help it. I mean seriously..could you?! Look at him.

All of our gear.

Dean && Nicole :)

The boyzzzzzz

The girls (Nicole and Erin)

Just kickin back by the water.

All the puppies on the boat, suited up in their lifejackets :)

Mom & dad-- lookin good you two!Sunsets on the lake = amazing.

And I will leave you with this image. Notice his water boots..aren't those fashionable?

BTW, I am still learning (slowly, I must add) at how to properly upload pictures on this thing... so I must admit...the end is the beginning and the beginning is the end. Not that it makes much difference. Anywho. Hope this pictures give you a slight idea of just how much fun we had. I love my family.
<3>

Indulge Cupcakes

I went to this fabulous cupcake bakery for the first time yesterday. &&&&
I LOVED IT! It's called Indulge Cupcakes, and it is located in the heart of downtown Puyallup, near the Farmer's Market and Trackside Pizza.

It was just what I was looking for in a cupcake. Which means...
I'm applying for a job there ASAP! I think it would be a perfect fit and also a great way to get involved and educated with the baking world. So wish me luck!!!

In case you were wondering what flavor cupcake I got... I tried the strawberry shortcake one. To sum it up in one word: absolutelydeliciousbeyonddescription.

Have a splendid day!
<3 J

house/dog sitting

Greeeetings!

Currently I am posted up in a good friend of mines house, dog sitting for her family for a long weekend. It's rather lonely, I must admit but the weather's nice and the house is beauitful so I can't complain too much. They have two Westies .. seriously two of the cutest dogs I've ever seen!



In other news-- I am reading Julie and Julia (which is about hit the movie theaters in a couple of weeks) and it is so so good! It's all about a woman's story of her adventure on learning how to cook French cuisine. It's hilarious and I can't wait to see the movie now!



Also in other news-- I made the Dean's list at PLU last semester!! Which is a big honor and I'm thrilled that all of my hard work and stress paid off in such a great way.

Needless to say- I am one happy girl right now.

bucket list

I was chatting with a friend the other day..and I suddenly became inspired to start a bucket list. I have so many things I want to do and see in this world- I want to make my dreams a reality. Life is too precious and fragile to let the things you love pass you by. I want to live a spontaneous, adventurous and fanscinating life.

Here are some of the ideas on my list thus far...

1. Travel to: Greece, Barcelona and Ireland
2. Be fluent in a foreign language
3. Win the lottery
4. Live on a farm
5. Go to culinary school
6. Learn how to whistle
7. Go shopping in New York
8. Be a member of a book club
9. Invent something fantastic
10. Backpack through Europe
11. Learn how to play poker
12. Skydive
13. Eat exotic food from all over the world.
14. Have lots of dogs. ( I want to name my first two, Dooney & Burke. hahaha)
15. Go on a random trip somewhere far away without any plans.
16. Witness something so phenomenal that I cry and then laugh.
17. Learn how to play a musical instrument exceedingly well (preferably the piano).
18. Have a random pen pal who lives on another continent.
19. Learn how to make sushi
20. Learn how to waterski
21. Take photography classes

that's it so far.
i'll add on soon.
<3 J

Let the fun begin.

Hellllllloooooo World!
It's been awhile, yeah? Yeah. Tell me about it. These last few weeks have been non-stop insanity....mostly in a good way.
1) I finished this year off with a 3.5-- BOOOOOOYAAAAHHHH! haha needless to say, I worked my booty off to get that GPA. It was a long and tough semester, but definitely one to be proud of and enthusiastic about. I had great professors, learned a ton, and enjoyed myself while on the journey!
2) As soon as I took my last final, I was on a plane to Arizona for some much needed R&R. This was the first time all year I was fully able to let go and relax. I had nothing to worry about, no papers to write.. I was free. I got to enjoy the hot desert by a nice pool, sippin on iced coffee whenever I got the chance. The best part of all, I got a lot of "thinking time"... I constantly have school on my mind so it was refreshing to get back to my other passions in life and really explore other possibilities.
3) After AZ, I worked.. a lot. haha well, for me it was a lot. and I realized how unhappy I was at the Kennels...
4) After those dreadful days at work, I was destined for my wisdom teeth operation! Surprisingly..I was excited. Not only would I have to do absolutely nothing for days to come....but I was fascinated by the whole sedation part too. haha. Anyways, the surgery went as smoothly as it possibly could. It was a breeze for me, so allow me to shed some light here. It's really not as bad as people make it out to be. I didn't experience any pain...well not really. and also, I had no major swelling. Pretty awesome?? I think so!
5) After recooping.. I was ready to kick summer's butt. It started by me quitting my kennel job. I was miserable there. It had to happen. Why spend my summer unhappy and bitter about picking up dog poop all day and breaking my back to clean kennels? It wasn't worth it. And that's saying a lot because you all know my love for dogs. But, I quit. Talk about liberating!!

So. That is where I am today. With all of that out of the way, I am read to unleash summer. I am ready for something big and amazing to happen.

<3 J