Happiness

I am so happy right now in my life. Its inexplicable really, since, when I logically think about it, I should probably really be sick with stress and worry for NOTHING working out like I thought it would when I took that step of faith to move back to California without any prospects. But, I can't help it, I'm HAPPY!!! Life is good, different than expected, sometimes stressful, but good. I know I'm doing what the Lord wants me to do, and THAT has made all the difference in the entire world.

Life. Is. Good.

Funny Things Happen at Melt Gelato & Crepe Cafe...

Working at the mall has been an eye opening experience for me and one I will remember my whole life. Here are some surprising happenings off the top of my head of what I experience:

• I once had a customer insist I call security b/c she was SURE the man walking by was a bank robber b/c he looked exactly like the man she saw on the news that morning...I'm pretty sure nothing happened
• I am thankful every day that I am no longer a teenager (can also be read "I am thankful every day that I am no longer in high school")
• I once got a $10 tip...I'm that amazing
• On a weekly basis I watch the suspicious ATM machine men fill the machine...deep inside I'm a little scared to look at them too much b/c I'm afraid they may attack
• I get asked at least 572 times a day where the nearest bathroom is
• Interestingly enough, children can always tell that the gelato is ice cream, but adults sometimes can't quite figure it out. It is not rare to hear: "Is that cake?" or "What is that?", and my personal favorite: "Is that cheese?" (the cheese comment has happened at least twice and I am left wondering what kind of cheese these people eat, and why in the world would anyone want a scoopful of chocolate cheese to munch on in the mall.)
• People get a little worked up sometimes in line...I will never understand why people think its ok to argue and fight in front of children all for the sake of gelato...really people, its not that big of a deal
• My favorite comment from a customer was probably, "I tried your ice cream the other day, it's not gelato, it looks like gelato, but its not". Um, ok, thank you sir...enjoy your crepe..
  

Oh, I know there are more that I can't think of right now. Sigh. It's been fun, and I'm sure I'll have more exciting days to go through before I am blessed to find a grown-up job again...gotta love gelato.

Dear Universe

I am in love with Gilbert Blythe. Yes, I realize he is a fictional character from a woman's imagination, but I really don't think its too much to ask that I find someone like him. He is everything I want in a man:

• Good
• Kind
• Intelligent
• Driven to succeed
  
• Knows how to have a good time
• Doesn't take life to seriously
• Loves the object of his affection despite her imperfections
• Oh, and good looking thrown in

Any ideas where I can find such a man in real life? Advice is appreciated.

Sincerely,
Trulie Cordelia

Little Drakey's a missionary

It's hard to believe that the time has finally come to let our little Drakey go. I am left so excited for him...so, so excited. To be honest, I'm also a little jealous. It's crazy to me that in just a few days, I will have been home from my mission for 5 years already. It really was the greatest thing that I have ever done. I will forever be grateful for that time. Sometimes I long to be there again. I feel honored to have been given the opportunity to serve. I know that his time will be no less life-changing and memorable, both for himself and for the people in the Philippines. I am excited to see what happens. I will miss the boy, but good on ya Drake (as Zack would say)...I'm proud of you (even though you'll never read this until after your mission). :)








And for old time's sake...

Neglectful

I know, I know, I haven't been updating so much lately...I have to admit it's partly b/c I wish I had my laptop back, so I didn't have to sit at the computer desk to blog...I've never been one for desks.

Anyway, I'm going to try to post some pictures and more exciting updates tomorrow, but I wanted to make some sort of statement...I feel it's needed after a month's absense. So, what have I been up to? Again, it's not much, but a lot at the same time. Let me elaborate:

1. I was seriously considering moving to Taiwan for 6 months to teach English. It seemed like a really good idea: learn Mandarin more easily (although I still need to make this happen), great experience, new culture, get paid more than now, fun w/ kids, travel...in the end, I decided it wasn't right. I am happy to stay near my family still though. I love being with them.

2. Railroad Museum. Yay! I remember going here in 4th grade...so it's been a few years, but I still think it's cool. I forgot my camera that day, but luckily I have some nice siblings I can steal some photos from for you to enjoy...

It was harder than expected to dangle from this ladder...

3. I've been able to go to the beautiful Sacramento Temple a couple of times. It is such a blessing to have the temple so close to us. A dream come true really. I remember praying for it my whole life.

4. Sierra & Abbie went with me a different Saturday from the Free Museum day to Old Town Sacramento. We had a good time. I will have to add some pics when I have time to find my USB port to upload them onto the computer.

5. Looking for a job while scooping gelato and making crepes. That sentence may be misleading...I don't do them at the same point in time, just do them both at this point in my life. Entendeu?

6. I sang in Portuguese with a ward friend (Bryce) for the Rocklin 6th Ward Talent Show.

7. I have come to love Kakuro...which is an advanced form of Sudoku...it involves adding. Acutally, I don't do it much, but I do enjoy it. :)

8. I have found a new interest in Family History. It has been very, very interesting to learn more in depth about my ancestors and to even just ponder on their lives. I am grateful for the life they've paved for me.

9. I have made a lot of new friends and I finally feel like I'm starting to fit in around here.

10. I miss my Utah friends a LOT. Its strange to move on in life and leave people in your past...sad too, but I am grateful t have known and loved such amazing people. And I love that we can still communicate b/c phones and emails cross state...and COUNTRY borders.

Well, I know that last one was not really something I did, more like just a thought, but it's a part of my current life.

I guess to sum up, life is good. Unpredictable and it makes me uneasy every once in a while when I remember that I have nothing in front of me really...I have NO idea what the next step is...I'm glad I've found out some things its NOT (ie Taiwan)...I guess that narrows down the next step, right? Yes, unpredictable and unstable, but GOOD. I love the Lord and I love that He is constantly reassuring me that He knows exactly where I am right now, and everything is happening just as it should. I trust Him. He's never led me astray before, and I know He won't ever.

Happy weekend!

Hiking IN Folsom Lake

So, my dad loves, loves, loves hiking. He really goes almost every day. Sometimes I have time to go with him...I wish I did it more. On Saturday, my sisters and I all went with him. We had fun together. Here are some pics of our adventure... This first picture is Sierra and Abbie making their way through the woods. I love the beauty around here...my sisters are beautiful too!!
I mostly put this pic in here to prove Dad was there. :)

SISTERS!!!

This is the river that usually makes up the lake...You can see how low it

is...sad, but its cool to see the history underneath...hope it doesn't last

too long though. :)

Dad and Sierra walking down what is usually the boat ramp...

Shine fine in 2009

January 1, 2009. It's hard to believe that it's 2009 already, for some reason that seems so much later than 2008. Maybe it's because this will be my 10 year anniversary of graduating from high school, or maybe b/c my baby brother is going on a mission soon. Or maybe...maybe a lot of things, but it seems to have snuck up on me...

All day (since midnight last night really) I've been feeling happy and optimistic. I just can't shake the feeling that it's going to be a great year! I'm excited to see what lies ahead! I'll try to be a little more diligent in logging my exciting 2009 adventures on here for you all to enjoy with me. :)

May this new year bring each of you fun, excitement, new adventures and success!