Come Fly With Me

I just bought my plane ticket to go to Paris, London and Ireland from August 17-28! To say that I am excited is an understatement!

Other good news...found out that I passed the CBEST today. First teacher test completed [check]!

Tis a splendid day.

Good Food, and Then...a Move!

San Diego is getting hotter! Hello summer!

Though, I may be sweatin' right now from making a kickass dinner from a recipe that Rita suggested (she has two blogs, so check em out!). It was yummy and easy and I was proud of myself. Yay!

So, about this upcoming week-- I may not be around that much cause I'm getting all my stuff ready to move. That includes boxing stuff, cleaning and buying some things from IKEA (good ol' standby) all before Wednesday. Yep! I'm moving this Wednesday!

Hopefully, by next week, I'll be settled in, and will have bought my plane ticket overseas (I'm waiting on a loan to be approved that will help me out).

If I don't post till then, here's to a good week!!

♫ Listening to "The Love You Save" by the Jackson 5. ♫

M.J. the Legend

I'm still a little weirded out by Michael's death. Only cause ever since I can remember, he seemed larger than life to me. Since my birth, Michael has been the M.V.P. of pop music--I grew up knowing him to be the definition of pop. So in a way, it feels like the death of a force of nature, somehow.

Even though he pulled some crazy stunts, I always felt sorry for the guy. Who can handle that much fame at such a young age and turn out okay?

He's gone earlier than I thought he would be, but I suppose a tragic life begets a tragic death.

My top five Michael/Jackson 5 songs: "Never Can Say Goodbye," "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," "Billie Jean," Who's Lovin' You," and "Beat It."

"Billie Jean" is the best, hands down, and is easily in my top 10 favorite songs from any artist.

P.S. Being sad over a celebrity's death is not pathetic. Just like any person you run across in life, a celebrity has the power to move us, even if we don't know them personally. I believe this especially goes for musicians, authors, artists and the like.

Calling All Traveling Experts:

If you can answer any/all of these questions, I would be much obliged!

1. What is the cheapest/best way to get from Ireland to England?
   
2. Where are the best places to go in Paris? and...what is the best way to get around Paris?
   
3. What is your experience (if any) staying in a youth hostel in France?
   
4. What are best places to go in Ireland?

Okkkkkkk! I think that's it...for now.

This trip may really be possible, I'm just ironing out the details!

Saved by Zack Morris!

Closer to a Saved By the Bell reunion!!! Watch this:



I thought Mark Paul Gosselaar would be the very last to sign on. What a sport! I still heart Zack Morris. Even if he's wearing an awkward wig...

I Have a Dream...

Not in the Martin Luther King Jr. sense, but a dream, none the less.

I'll be moving soon (within the next two weeks), and with any big change like that, one contemplates life.

I've made progress in the last year. Lots of progress! I've healed a lot, my heart has been mended from past pain. However, there is still work to do.

My hope and my prayer for the next few months is that I learn to love and to trust without barriers. I am a person that builds huge walls as a defense. It will be a process to take down each stone, one by one. But it is a process I must go through. Walls I have built won't necessarily keep pain away; they will, however, keep love away. I want to learn to trust and love the people around me, I want to give my whole self, not just pieces of myself.

Besides referring to friends, I am most definitely talking about lovers. I hope to one day love someone completely. To reach a point of no hesitation. To love without barrier.

I went to a wedding yesterday, and a priest that I've known since childhood was officiating the wedding. What he spoke about was profound and resonated with me. He said, "Not everyone experiences the direct love of God. There are very few people who experience that kind of spirituality. However, God's love is often mediated through human love. From the protection of a parent, to the kiss of a lover. This is the way people can experience God, through each other. We learn to love one another the way God loves us."

This is a beautiful concept, and so true. I am that person that has experienced God's direct love. I believe everyone should experience this (and open themselves up for it). However, I don't want to miss out on that human love, a different expression of God's love.

Did you know? Today is the first day of summer. The sun will be out the longest today than it will the rest of the year.

That means today is the brightest day. Today I take a little of that light with me, to sustain me in this dream that I have. A dream to give the idea of love a chance, and not always push it away. A dream to grow with each day, taking down one stone at a time. So that eventually my barriers are low, and my heart is full with all the love it has received.

Some lyrics to "I Have a Dream" from Mamma Mia! :

I have a dream
A song to sing
To help me cope
With anything...

I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream

What I Believe (is Very Important)

Hey guys! I appreciate all the feedback on my last post. Now some of you urged me to give Jason a try, and I understand why you say that, cause I don't give...er, any guys a try...hardly. ha. Well is that a bad thing?

The reason I'm not likely to give Jason a try goes back to the ideology reason. Finding a guy that is as into his faith as me is quite important. Jason is a really good guy; however, I know that fights would ensue if we were to get together. It is a fight of beliefs, and I need to date a guy that can share those very important beliefs with me.

I turned down Cute Sean months ago for the same reason. And I actually had a huge interest in Sean (who I still talk to online, occasionally, by the way). I don't have the same interest in Jason. Plus, Jason is not Latin (well, you know I love dark boys).

When the right guy comes along, you'll all know about it. And I believe he will come along.

Just My Imagination?

Or is this guy asking me out in a roundabout way?

I received a message from my co-worker, Jason, from my last job, and I'm not sure how to take it. haha. Read this message and tell me what you think:

Hey there Miss Ashley. Prescott and Isaiah told me to tell you not to give too much attention to the boys at your new site. It will make them jealous :) (Prescott and Isaiah are my two favorite little kindergartners at my last job, just so you're not confused)

Good luck with this new job. Hopefully you can find a summer replacement for lil' Prescott. I'm gonna really miss all those guys! (sniffles) Hopefully I'll be back in Sept. I must admit I'll miss our afterwork walk and talks among other things. I grew to really appreciate you as a person and enjoyed your company. If you ever have a free night and would like to get together and watch a movie (maybe you can show me High Fidelity) feel free to contact me.

BTW if you're free Thursday July 9th and are interested in cruising with me to see Incubus let me know and I'll grab some tix

Ttyl
Mr. Jason :-)

...Soooo, is this just a friendly "let's get together and be friends" kind of message? Or...something else? I'm not interested in dating Jason. So, I don't want to give the wrong impression by hanging out with him. He's still a cool guy.

Tell me what you think, dear readers...

P.S. Work was good today. Today in general was a lot better. The good thing about bad days is that the next day is likely to seem great in comparison. There's a way to look on the bright side!

Bleh.

My first day of work at the summer camp was cool, but tiring. Mannnn I'm tired. We were out in the sun a lot, of course. 9 hours of working + sun = exhaustion. That, and trying to learn a whole bunch of new names.

I was a little grumpy when I got home. Probably a side effect of change. I miss my old kids already, but there are some darling new kids that I met today.

Made a smoothie when I got home in some over-priced machine my dad bought from the county fair. It pulverizes seeds, so you can pop a whole apple right in there. Kind of unnecessary, but a little satisfying to see a whole piece of fruit turn into liquid so quickly.

I'm blabbering on. I just needed to write a little, cause I'm in a mood. I needed to ease some tension. We'll see how tomorrow's pool party will go. Not gonna lie, it freaks me out a little to watch so many kids by a pool. Kids and water don't always mix well!

Peace.

Ciao, Miei Figli...

...for now!

It's hard to say goodbye to the little ones for the summer. Especially the select few that really touched my heart. But today was the last day, and I had to fight back a couple tears. What? I'm a sap when it comes to kids.

This makes me realize that I will have attachment issues with my own kids in the future. haha. But maybe every parent has those attachment issues? It might be an matter of how well you can let go of something you love.

And tomorrow, I start my new summer job! I'm like a workin' factory! One job right after the other...

Which reminds me...I hope I can get that vacation for the end of the summer. Still crossin' my fingers for England, Ireland and France...ahhhhh! Hope hope hopeeeeeee!

By the Bay

I had some time to kill before church today, so I figured I would kick it by the water. The day was already perfect, so I knew it would be a good idea. I drove down a random, unfamiliar street that eventually stopped right at the edge of a bay. There was exactly one parking space--one space reserved for me.

I stepped out of my car and instantly felt a peace take over my body. I wish I would have taken a picture of the scenery. But I left all electronic devices behind. This was a time for me to unwind after a busy, tiring week; this had to be just me and nature.

I don't think I can explain the moment I had today, but it was a moment that rejuvenated me. A moment where God nudged me on the shoulder and said, "Hey kid, don't stress yourself out. I got this for ya." A moment where I realized how small I really am. Too small to understand exactly how the world works, yet alone try to control it. Us humans are silly for trying to control our lives so much.

Looking out into the water today, I saw the world working perfectly. And I'm not in charge of any of it. Fittingly.

Learning how to work within the world puts me at ease, instead of trying to make my own, contrived way. Sometimes you just gotta take the time to gather your thoughts by the bay, and let the surroundings tell you the answers.

Hello Green!

Since I can't travel, I changed the colors of my blog around. Not quite the same satisfaction. But less drastic than getting a haircut. ha.

Taking the CBEST tomorrow. (California Basic Educational Skills Test).

Alright, I need to stop procrastinating by playing on my blog, and get to studying a little.

P.S. I still love purple, but green is my second favorite color.

Antsy...

I'm getting to that time of the year where I've been in one place for too long.

I wish I could go on a month-long vacation...

Hi, my name is Ashley and I have a traveling disease.

Sometimes I Do...

I saw this awhile back and forgot to share. It makes me laugh EVERY time.



Sometimes I do...

I Eat Raw Meat (just read on)

Man, last night was brutal. I all of a sudden felt deathly ill, and I will not provide details, but I could not hold dinner down.

So today I had a quick training, then lots of naps and rest, to regain some strength. I hate getting randomly sick.

Anyway. This week has been crazy! Highlight of the week: My Homie Jaclyn, my oldest friend, visited. This was refreshing and great to see an old friend. It's funny how no matter how much time passes between when I see her, we are the same old ridiculous girls. Maybe I will post pictures of our time together, but they are ridiculous as well. I told Jaclyn that we act like we are drunk all the time, without ever being drunk. Lord help us if we were to drink together and hang out!

Oh wait, that happened Monday. Monday was her last night here. We ordered these damn raspberry lemonades that were WAY stronger than they let on. That did me in. Not to mention the wine Jaclyn's boyfriend Miguel insisted on having with dinner.

Also, because Miguel's dad is the executive chef of the place, we had some interesting appetizers...like RAW MEAT. I ATE RAW MEAT!!!!!!!! WTF? haha...the actual name for the stuff is carpaccio. Si, è italiano! AND IT WAS GOOD. I feel like a cave woman! I also ate fried calamari. Pretty rough texture. Not really my cup of tea, er, I mean...squid.

So yeah...that was the highlight of the week. The wedding is tomorrow!!! Again, I am beyond excited for the wedding (even though the groom will be on crutches...sad face).

Oops...I've Been Busy

I haven't gotten the chance to blog this week! It's all because of lack of time! Going to trainings to my new job while still working at my current job = not much time for other things.

But this weekend I am VERY excited for my friends Cynthia and Josh's wedding (although, BAD LUCK that Josh broke his foot this week, can you believe that?). Talk to you guys later...whenever that is! Maybe I'll post some pictures of the wedding.