Julie Tracy

After a short Saturday work day and some time driving around on my own, it was lovely Simone Bagalso’s time. She looked so gorgeous in all of the outfits and photos she was in. I loved her yellow sunflower theme and how she incorporated everything with it from the centerpieces, the invitations, to her third outfit.

After the loveliness came the craziness, or at least, that’s what Mr. J. told me this morning. I haven’t really danced since homecoming and it was a workout! ha, it’s nice to feel those abs and thighs a working!

I love how almost every photo I use to blog about comes from Julie's flickr, which reminds me about yesterday. I always enjoy Core Team meetings, and the fact that Pat laughs at everything just makes things better. Oh, and I absolutely love his stories. Stephanie, Zach, Joe, Angellyne, Andrew, and I could not stop laughing when we found out the name of Pat's 5th-6th grade girlfriend has Julie Tracy as a name! That's right, Julie Tracy. 

A December to Remember

My goodness, what a month. From dinners, to mean girls, to shopping to parties, this month flew by. This entire week there was never a dull moment. Saturday December 19th I had so much going on. First there was Becca’s Night in Bethlaham. The little kids were so cute but after staying at the census for a while got kinda boring.

My afternoon was spent at Pat & Oscars with Core Team. I got there thirty minutes late but when I did arrive everyone was like “Tracey!” and I felt so loved. Sarah and I managed to sneak away during the White Elephant game to pet these adorable puppies outside. Gosh, they were so cute. What would be a Core Team party without Big Booty!?! So of course, we played and I lost my earing, which I’m really sad about, but then again, it’s just an earing.

Because of Core Team, I was a bit late to the ASB Christmas Party at Mr and Mrs. Jensen’s, but that was alright because there was still a lot of people who came after me. Their house is huge! Their refridgurator can fit like 10 of me inside! That night was so much fun. We played churraides, opened our Secret Santa gifts (where Sara’s gifts had a theme of “black”), played wooden spoons and twister, and just a whole lot. I was extremely weird that night, but it was all fun. Mr and Mrs. J’s house has a lovely view from the backyard, and just sitting out there, watching life pass by, I couldn’t be more thankful for my life.

Then today I went to the American Apparel Rumage sale downtown with my mom! She spent a lot of monies and I felt really bad but at least the 21 items she got was for my dad, brother, cousins, and not just for me. I saw Rachel and Jackie there and we stood in line with each other for like an hour before it opened. But gee, my mom is so embarresing. Like before they came, she was listening to the group in line before us and then she laughed with them! Not a small chuckle but she laughed! Aayaww….but it was great. I guess the events of this week made me so tired that I took a 7 hour nap. Not sure if I want to call it that anymore. From 4 pm to 11 pm I crash while leaning on my brother during the Charger’s game. Then, since he ws annoyed and my bed had American Apparel clothes all over it, I just slept in his comfy memory foam bed. Maybe it’s time for me to go back to sleep…

Hot Priest, Hot Nun

Why is it that the cutest people at camp are going to be a priest and a nun. I'll have people to back that up too. The second picture is off Pam and me. Gosh I love her! She's such an inspiration and the highlight of my days. I feel bad for all the guys. We "lost another one" as Jenna said in her witness talk. So Pam remembered my name, took a picture with me, waved at me at dinner, and she called me her friend! Ahhh! She is my idol icon. She so sweet and cute and kind, and so like our Blessed Mother!

Ok, enough of my obsession of Pam.

Camp Emmaus was the best! The moment I came back on my driveway I just wanted to come back. It truly is true that the best friends we make are those in faith.

I must say, this year I had the best small group I had ever had. Group 6, Jesus + Friends consisted of myself, Gerard, Amanda, Katie, Adriana, Billy, Shayan, Kyle, Ally, Rayven, and of course, Jesus! OMJ, we connected right away and had the best moments ever. Affirmations were amazing. They always make me feel so good. I had such a good time with them. So many memories including Connie, soda machines, "You need to freshen up," matchmaker, moms, I love you's rocking out, lusting, and so much more. Oh, and I got back at Ally when it came to cute boys. haha!

Not only did I have an fabulous small group, my cabin had seven beautiful ladies! Although Charisse left, Deanna, Stephanie, and Cheyenne moved in with Jasmine, Victoria, Nina, and me. We had the loveliest talks at night, and getting to talk about faith at night just reminds me that there are others like me out there. We had the best time ever. Vicki's black lady alter ego came out! She is so scary! There was also a night when Nina flashed her flashlight on and off at Cheyenne and I so we started to do model poses. I kinda got a little carried away and got recorded! Oh dear. They also took an embarrassing photo of me when I made my body go through the ladder to say hi to Estephanie. I love those girls.

All the night activities were just incredible. Sunday night's concert had everyone getting into the music and faith. I think Monday night was when we split the girls and guys up and it was just so inspiring. Tuesday night we watched The Ultimate Gift, which I totally call the protagonist (he's such a hottie). I highly recommend watching that movie. The talent show on Wednesday night was so much fun and to have affirmations following that was just perfect.

I think my favorite part about camp this year was Adoration. It was so powerful and occurred after the Mass my group was a part of. It's kinda weird that Fr. Joe was wearing sandals during Adoration but that's ok. It was just so, I don't know how to describe it other than powerful. You could definitely feel Jesus's presence when we sang, and when we had a pause in singing in the middle, I could hear all our voices in the wind. Jesus definitely has the most beautiful name in the world. Just saying his name can give chills.

There's always more to tell but there's so much I wouldn't be able to tell everything.

I love Camp Emmaus! "It's an everyday thing."

Camp Emmaus

IS TOMORROW!!!! yay! I'm so excited and am so ready for a faith high! Oh, and cute Catholic boys! ha, I'm so bad. I'm excited for that as well.
My aunt had (and is still having) a party with her friends so Travor and I decided to bike to Sarah's house. Again we went to the park and did made obstacle courses.

"Hey that slide has speed bumps!"

Oh, my brother.

Everyday I make a mental note to "blog that" but I always end up forgetting.

Easy

Crystal: Why does everyone pick on me?
Everyone: Because you're easy! hahahaha...
Andrew: We need to think of all the phrases that can turn wrong.
Liz: Everything that comes out of Crystal's mouth.

Pause

Everyone: OH! ahaha!

Uninvited

Today was a blast. Being grounded gets me worried but at the moment I don't feel very grounded. Thank God for extracurricular activities that are actually fun! My morning started with an ASB meeting. Sometimes I feel like I talk WAY too much. Ha ha, I do. I'm glad my pitch was alright, I just hope others would put their input in so every one's opinion can be heard and great possibilities can become great realities.
I came home to find five cousins over and one got a fever of 104.6! I do hope Dylan feels better. I got one of my cousins into Harry Potter! Mission accomplished.
My late afternoon and evening was spent at Zach's house for a Community Life meeting. I'm so glad that most of us made it because it was sooooo much fun. Like Andrew said, we really bonded and it's still only the summer! It's really cool that we can all become so close. The time was spent making posters, failing at buying t-shirts, actually buying t-shirts, going into a jaccuzi, and soo many jokes! I laughed so hard. We talked made fun of Crystal being uninvited, a Mexican Harry Potter that dropped out of Hogwarts, Liz ability to count up to 6, gosh it was just great. Oh, and it's so cool cause Zach's house is laid out like mine and we have simular items at the same places such as our rooms, the tv, the fireplace, and a draw set thing. I hope Community Life gets even better as the year moves forward.

From the Rosary to Toilet Paper

Today marked the new beginning of a great year. Although it's not January I feel as if a new school year invites change into our lives. The first officers' meeting was today. I went into Pat's office to get his notepad for him and I saw a photo of Jesus, which I thought was Bob Marley! Isn't that crazy. Some one's going to say that's a sign for them to get high. haha, I hope not. Following the meeting was the Ultimate Frisbee picnic and unfortunately, our team lost. Oh well I lots of fun. At the end we all gathered into a circle, kneeled, and prayed the rosary. Oh my goodness I have not prayed the rosary since middle school. It was just so amazing saying those words with others and I can just feel Mary's presence. It was so nice. With everyone together it feel so powerful. I must do it more often.
When I got home my cousins were still over. Michelle was in the restroom and needed toilet paper so I got some and gave it to Amy to give it to her. Amy unwrapped the cover (it's Costco toilet paper) and threw it in the bathroom since she was getting pissed off that Michelle was taking too long. Guess where it landed....in the toilet, the toilet that Michelle already peed in! Oh man it was hilarious!

Success and Failure

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:33

It's amazing how God's mind works, if you would even call it a mind. Although I was truly disappointed at the time, I think God's plan was for me not to be Key Club's Vice President but to be Core Team's. I am so incredibly happy! It's so nice when others say kind things to you, but even better when they feel you are worthy of something. I thank Him for aiding those who were helping me and I truly hope I can prove to the Core Team that their decision has been the right one, that my hardwork and dedication will mean something. I feel bad for others, whose disappointment I can see on their face, but I hope that this result will impact them, and myself, in a positive way. I have not yet told my parents in fear that they believe I'm too busy with schoolwork, but they have always thought this (example: sports, when I actually did better when I was in them). I am looking forward for this next year and what awaits the 2009-2010 Core Team!
After the four hour discernment, Sarah and I went biking. My brother, Travor, joined us after dinner and we rode towards Sarah's home; however, we decided to go Camino Ruiz park and spent our time failing at bike locks, analyzing the sections, and timing our obstacle course. We ended up loosing track of the time for it was eight o'clock in the evening when we headed back to Sarah's. Both my brother and I forgot our cell phones and it was getting dark when arrived there; thus, my brother and I are what I consider "bike grounded." We're not able to ride our bikes until August. This pretty much sucks since I was planning to bike tomorrow (technically today since it's 12:27) and Thursday. Oh well, I thought it was a fair punishment. What a day of both success and failure!

Constant Joys

For perhaps the first time ever my summer activities have been never-ending and yet I feel as if these moments will be gone before I know it even though it is still June. There's still so much on my summer to-go list! Seaworld, the Fair, thrift shopping, concert going, getting together with friends from all different spheres. Because of all my upcoming plans (and lack of) I've decided to cease searching for a job, rather, I will be volunteering at the VA and tutoring my cousins and younger brother. I feel as if my summer is already filled up!

Thursday the 18th the four corners finally got to meet up! They came over to mi casa and we watched (including Mina and my mom) He's Just Not That Into You, the perfect chick flick! It was so fun and the movie made it even better. I know it's bad but I love side comments during films. Others' inputs makes things ten times more enjoyable.

Friday's plans included Minerva, Lance and I to have lunch with Jenay. Unfortunately those plans could not be carried out. I was so bummed.I seem to have forgotten what happened on Saturday. I probably slept all day like I did on Sunday. For Father's Day my family stayed at home and watched Defiance and The Internationalist and ate Carl's Jr. and went out to eat Vietnamese food for dinner. Oh, and I slept from 5 pm to 8 pm. I felt very strange when I woke up.

And there was yesterday. Oh yesterday! I had a blast yesterday! First of all I had an ASB meeting at school. It was just fun in general even though I don't know everyone yet. Afterwards Julie, Kelli, Nga, Cathy, Sara, and I went to Ihop. Sara and I stayed for about a half an hour but the time we spent there was pleasant. This upcoming year will be spectacular and some of you know the reason behind my diction. Later that day my cousins, Travor, and my mom went to buy books. I'm so scared of tutoring them, yet so excited. I hope I can add some of my limited knowledge to their young minds. I have a feeling that this summer will be unpredictable at times. The best part of yesterday was the Core Team dinner party at Tom Hamm's Lighthouse downtown. Gosh it was so beautiful cause we were sitting right by the bay. We took lots of photos, played ninja, and tried to eat $25 worth of food. I'm sad to see the seniors leaving. Core team has been such a tremendous part of my life this past year.