San Diego

So I am in San Diego at this moment in time. It's basically this amazing place that I am in love with by now. To the west is the ocean and to the east is the bay. Each within 2 blocks of my condo. It's beautiful is what I'm trying to say. It's also so nice here. It's cool and breezy all day long. It's just perfect to be here. I really like it.

So I shared my testimony like the first full day that we were here. With 4 other girls. Complete. Strangers. It was such an interesting experience. Technically, we haven't even shared our testimonies with each other even though we do life together all the time. I think we should.

So I went swimming in the ocean 2 days ago. It was amazing! Except this girl Anna and I were the only girls ACTUALLY swimming. All the other girls were laying out. So I was swimming with like 7 or 8 guys that were from CRU too. Back up. On the way there, I met this guy named Bryce (I think that's how you spell it) and he said that I have great hair. Well he said something like "cool hair because it's a different color" or something like that. So we were all swimming in the ocean. And he is hard core flirting with me. I'm talking splashing me with water, trying to push me into the waves, trying to trip me over himself, mocking my screams/giggles of delight at the waves. Hard core flirting. So then when I got out of the water, my friend Taylor said that he would teach me how to play the ukelele this summer. Anna and I want to ride a tandem bike with me on the back playing the ukelele. Yes. So anyway, Taylor had his ukelele so I went over there to try and learn and I'm really struggling so I'm trying to laugh it off and I can just tell he thinks I'm being all cutesy and stuff and he just continues to flirt and he tries to sit very close to me on the sand and he said "I'll sing the guy part and you can sing the girl part" in this LOVE SONG. So then he asked me what my major is and I said I'm a music major and he said he wanted to be a music major. For guitar and drum set. -_- under impressed am I. So then he asked me if I can sing and I say not really I mostly play classical music and I kid you not he goes "I have a friend who likes classical. What is wrong with you guys?" And so naturally he almost gets punched in the face. Then later that night, he found me in the crowd after the meeting and he invited me to the beach for a late night jam session on the beach. At night. With him. On the beach. In a romantic setting. I'm so under impressed. I don't know how that's gonna work out for him...

On another note, this guy at work just was staring into my eyes and he wouldn't break eye contact and then in the weirdest way possible, he goes "Are those your real eyes, because they are beautiful" and I was weirded out.

I also get to rent bikes, surf boards, paddle boards, wet suits, and anything else without a motor for FREE this summer!!! WHAT WHAT?!

Ok we seriously have to road trip out here some time when B isn't a baby anymore :)

Also, Count of Monte Cristo? Not a good movie. Read the book. The movie ruins everything.

I have to go. Make sure to write fast so that I can update more about my trip!!!

I love you two!!!

~Abby~

The Count of Monte Cristo!!!!!

New favorite movie!! Well not favorite because Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back will always hold the number 1 spot in my heart as best movie. Then October Sky is in 2nd. Well the Count of Monte Cristo is in Third!!! My gosh guys if you haven't seen it, watch it!! I watched the entire thing on YouTube. In fact here is the link http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dOv_BSPOfew so you have no excuse to not watch it. I'm going to read the book now! So good. Plus the main guy is cute. :)

Anyway. Sorry I have not blogged, I just haven't had the motivation to for some reason. Life is good. Trying to eat healthy, get in shape for a 5k, not sin. Ya know the usual stuff. 

So I know you don't particularly agree with what my church does but if you have time watch the sermon online from yesterday. It usually takes a week for it to be put online so next Sunday try watching it. It was very very good. They play a secular song at the beginning but watch the whole thing and you'll realize why they played it. I just think it was really helpful for me so I hope you consider watching it :)

So I was not at all excited about the camping trip but now I cannot wait!! It gonna be so great!!! I'm a at nervous because I've never gone camping without axe wielding men to protect me before, but it'll be great!!

Well I guess that's it for right now. I know my life is so exciting. Anyway I love you guys so much. Keep being awesome!

Brianna 

Romans 6:11

Feelin Pretty Good and That's the Truth

I've never done something in my life that I was so proud of. I feel absurdly happy that I earned the Star of Life patch that came in the mail yesterday. I am also am feeling a little guilty because i really want people to get hurt and sick and keep doing stupid things and crashing their cars so i can save them. now i just have a crap ton of paperwork and job applications to get through. prayer that i get a job would be much appreciated.

i know i told you both about John and Billy and Shane, the paramedic and EMTs i worked with. i really wish i could just work with them the rest of my career, but i know there will be other people just as awesome as them. meanwhile i will sit in my car and cry every time i see a fire truck or ambulance or hear sirens cause i wish i could go along. ah well. my time will come.

Also, guess what? this is gonna be a huge shock, so you better sit down.here goes....... Abby and I signed a lease!!!!!!! well not really. i just paid almost $900 and we got an address. but still. feeling like an adult. now to buy a microwave.

did i tell you that i am no longer driving a car? it is now an oven, seeing as how the a/c is broken and the windows won't go down. I was driving michael the other day and i look back and he has the silver thing that you put in your windshield to reflect that sun. he has it on top of him like a turtle shell trying to stay cool. he's so weird...but the good news is that it's at the mechanic right now. i'll be using my tax refund to pay for it. blech

i think i told you both this, but my mom is taking my rent money ($150 a month) and collecting it and she's going to give it back to me when i leave. i am very thankful for that.

also we need to go camping or at least hiking before abby leaves. at least we need to give you a send-off party! :D and celebrate me. and brianna graduating!!! so many good things happening!

 ok i think that's it. Have a fantastic week.

Stress

Welp, Obviously blogging is not my forte. Good thing I don't do this for a living.

Basically, I am very stressed out right now. I have so much stuff to get done in the next few weeks. And I want them all to be amazing. I was going to write a Listz of all the stuff, but I wrote it all down to on paper and it's too long to transfer. Yeah... I'm about to throw a tempo tantrum -_-

On a high note however...

1.) After many minor setbacks it is official: GRACE AND I ARE SIGNING OUR LEASE ON FRIDAY!!! WOOT WOOT I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED
2.) I talked to Dr. Korevaar about studying abroad and he suggested Australia. Don't have to tell me twice!
3.) I get to accompany Mary for her senior recital in the fall!
4.) I got my first donation for San Diego and I feel reassured.
5.) I am almost done with my first year of college!
6.) I get a crap ton of extra money next year hence the reason why I will get to study abroad (forget about a 2 week trip somewhere!) This is a major development because I get to do what I want now!
7.) I had the best spring break in the history of the world. I think I have looked at the pictures like 20 times
8.) I get to play this badass piece next semester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAsvRHXR_DE  yeah. It's badass. I have provided the link as a preview of coming attraction. (I predict that B will watch it and Grace will not... <---accurate.)
8.5.) I played in class today. Baby got Bach. Even if I screwed up Bach...
9.) I am in love with this piece I am playing right now! It's so much fun to play!
10.) I am completely and utterly annoyed by people who go to the treble of ridiculing my degree. I can't stand them. They just don't measure up to these standards in the music school.
11.) I am signing up for my classes on Friday and I am so excited about them! I get to take an art class!

Also, I am reading this sharp book called Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and I highly highly highly recommend it! It's awesome! Also the Bible but you know...

Keepin' it trill bro.

Find all the music puns and I'll be your best friend. Oh wait.
~Abby~

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ready for spring break.

So I'm just really tired and I really need a vacation and spring break is going to be the most amazing thing ever. It shall be legendary. 

School stuff is basically normal for me I still hate math and still love my writing class.

I really like my hair. That's totally random but I do.

So the fact that we each get to pick a movie for spring break is very difficult for me. I never had this much power before. I get to make you guys watch whatever I want you to watch (insert evil laugh). It's such a difficult decision for me I don't know what to do with all this power.

I had a whole list of stuff in my mind that I was going to blog about that I was thinking about it work and now that I'm home I can't remember a single thing, so this blog will be kind of short. In fact this is actually kind of the end. Yep I can't think of anything else to talk about.

I'M SOOOOO EXCITED FOR SPRING BREAK!!!! 

But right now I'm tired so goodnight. I tots love ya both so much (Abby- absence makes the heart grow fonder!)

and I hope we will stay friends for-literally- ever. 

Brianna

P.S. Just remembered something. Everyone at youth group calls me 

Bra-nay-nay now it's kinda cool. :) also Mika (Micah? Mica?) started coming to youth group!

P.P.S. It has begun. Skylyn (Sam Sam's GF) has friended me on Facebook. Their relationship must be gettin pretty serious.

P.P.P.S. Please can we play the song lyric game on spring break!?! I always ask and we never do!!! 

Also we should do the fake tattoo thing that Grace was talking about. 

3 Things No One Tells You About Life

1. Money may not buy happiness, but it sure buys everything else. Remember when you were a little kid and money was this wonderful thing that you got when you did chores or when it fell out of your birthday card? Having $5 was like being a freakin millionaire or something. Well here's the cold hard truth. $5 barely buys you a tank of gas; and if you're gluten-free, $5 buys you one loaf of bread. And money is no longer a thing of joy, now it's this dark presence that is constantly hovering over you, no matter where you are or what you are doing. You will never feel secure in how much you have. It's hard to not be the person in 1 Timothy 6:10. (Yeah you have to look it up yourself. Don't be lazy.)

2. People suck. And you have to deal with them on a daily basis. I mean, every minute. People who don't use their blinkers, people who STILL don't take breath sounds in class, people who are incapable of taking a shower 10 minutes later than normal. Here is my advice to you on dealing with these sorts of people. First, try not to. Avoid direct confrontation at all costs. If direct contact is unavoidable, smile and nod and think about A.) Being on a beach with a stiff drink or B.) Punching their lights out. I can usually survive if I heed those principles. And then later I rant on and on to you guys or eat copious amounts of junk food. Ah well whatever it takes to not get arrested I suppose. I mean seriously, can you at least acknowledge the fact that my car could flatten you if I had not seen you?? It's called being a decent human being, people. 

3. Never underestimate the power of a private dance. And no, I am not talking about a lap dance; I know that's what both of you thought of immediately. Get your minds out of the gutter. But seriously, next time life is not going your way, do this: Find a room with a lock. Strip down to your underwear.(Wow this does sound like one of THOSE private dances. Hang in there.) Put your earphones in and pick your very favorite song ever. Turn it up as loud as you can bear. Turn off the lights. And dance your little heart out. And I mean dance! Jump on the bed, thrust your hips, do the Charlie Brown for Pete's sake. Try to block out all thoughts of anything else and drown yourself in the music. It's pretty great. Let me know when you try this and it changes your life. 

Well. That's about it. Those are the three things I wish I had been told before I was tossed out into the rubbish heap that is our world today. Also that Fruit Gushers are like manna from above. Sacré Bleú!!!!

 

Also enjoy this picture: 

I don't even have words to describe how sorry I am that I am the slowest blogger of all of us.

Well February was probably the most stressful month I have had in a while. And I don't even know why. I was just extremely stressed. Here's a few things:

1) I performed in studio class today in front of all the pianists in the school. I was so so so nervous. I think I sweat a liter and my mouth was all dry and I was shaky. But I did well. Dr. Korevaar says that I just need to perform a lot and then I won't be nervous. Only way out.

2) I am working on this piece of music called an Etude and it is kicking my butt. I don't know if I can play that fast. JUST FREAKING LOOK IT UP AND STOP DOUBTING ME. Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 4.

3) I bought this music writing software and I am starting a project where I write pieces for everyone who is close to me. This'll take a while. I'll let you guys know when I make one for you because I'm pretty excited about it. Correction: I'll let you know when it passes my standards so you probably will never hear it. :)

4) I LOVE HAVING MY OWN ROOM! IF I GET ANOTHER ROOMMATE, I WILL KILL SOMEONE

5) I am so excited for Spring Break! WOOT WOOT!

6) I am going to San Diego this summer. What?! That's right. Be jealous

7) I swore I wouldn't turn into one of those girls who just wears leggings as pants, but they're so comfortable. Must. Not. Become. a. Sorority. Girl. is my new motto.

8) This was a good day for the washing machines to break in my dorm. Awkotaco. I need to do laundry. I have no socks.

9) Read Galations

10) Book club. Aww yeah.

So that's basically my life as of right now. Oh, and I finished the Office which means I probably won't be watching much Netflix so instead I can do things like my homework. What a novel idea! I can't wait for you two to come up tomorrow! I am super excited! Also, sorry for taking so freaking long to blog. Like every time :)

Abby