april showers make me smile.

Joe's Crab Shack for my birthday

April was an amazing month but boy was it wet! Though great for the environment, it made for some very unpredictable days. One day, I'd be enjoying the sun outside and the very next day - pouring rain! The weather, thankfully, has made a turn for the better - four days straight of warmth and it's supposed to continue.

First semester of nursing school is officially over. Those last two weeks were both the longest and shortest weeks of my life. After multiple exams and a ten page paper that I completed in 6 hours, I successfully completed the semester earning all A's. I'm mighty proud of that accomplishment but also know it's only the beginning. This was the EASY semester. Yikes!

The week before finals was pretty relaxing - a great thing since it was my birthday week and Dave arrived in Davis! I had such a great birthday. Many of my favorite people gathered at Joe's Crab Shack in Old Town to celebrate with me. You wouldn't believe how excited I was to open my presents from my friends. I received two boxes of tupperware sets! I was thrilled!!

The rest of the week was amazing. Two of my classes had completed the week before so I had no class on Wednesday and only a quick final on Thursday... I did have an actual class on Friday, but it didn't deter from my happiness. I also took off of work that week, allowing me to spend a large amount of uninterrupted time with Dave. It was so great to be able to spend time with him without having to worry about school. Luckily, the whole week was sunny even though the weather reports predicted otherwise.

That Saturday was sunny, lovely Picnic Day. The morning started off with beers at The Grad with friends, followed by a hunt for liquor, pouring wine into Starbucks cups, walking to downtown where we enjoyed more beers and watched the parade, a jaunt through downtown and it's many festivities, a visit to the Battle, eating food everywhere, a quick break back at the house, and a fun little party in a barn. Oh Picnic Day, how I love thee.

The next day, Dave and I went to visit my family in the bay. We celebrated my birthday and played in the backyard with the little ones. It's always nice to be around family and I was definitely happy that day. Mom cooked amazing dishes and my cousin's purchased a delicious cake.

Monday called for a trip down to Lancaster to visit Dave's brother, Greg. Since he wouldn't get off of work until late, we took our time leaving Davis. When we finally got to Lancaster, Greg was still at work, so we went bowling for a bit and then headed to a bar where we played darts and met up with Greg and his girlfriend, Julie. After a game of pool, we headed to Greg's new house that he lives at with some coworkers and an adorable puppy.

The next day, we drove to San Diego in a terrible storm. Luckily, the weather (mostly) cleared up that evening since we went to the Giants vs. Padres game. It was terrible! There I was, a Giants fan, surround by Dave, Garrison, and Killeen - all Padres fans! It was actually a lot of fun. Dennis and Kate, friends from Davis, currently live in SD and met up with us at the game. Getting to see old friends is always a good thing.

Wednesday morning was a bit lazy. We went for a run around Dave's neighborhood, enjoying the sun/rain. For lunch, we went to his grandparent's house where we ate a delicious meal of spaghetti and meatballs. Mmmmm. The best part was when Mama brought out the icebox cake. I'd never had one before but had heard about them. AMAZING! It's always a treat when something so simple can be so satisfying. Afterwards, we made a quick stop at the Apple store where I met Dave's cousin Cary and then it was off to the airport. After some time at the food court, it was time for me to head to the gate. Saying bye to Dave absolutely sucked. But it was comforting to think that I'll see him again in less than four months. I can do that! It wasn't long before I was back in the bay and then in Davis.

Thursday morning, I was greeted with two exams followed by feeling terribly ill. I ended up studying about 3 hours for my last final. The good news, everything I studied was on the exam. The bad news, I felt even worse Friday.

I spent the weekend in bed enjoying my spring break but despising the fact that I felt so crummy. By Sunday night, I was feeling normal and not a moment too soon. Monday, I went with two of my classmates to Santa Cruz. I couldn't imagine going if I were still feeling ill.

We spent a few hours on the beach enjoying the sun and then went to the Boiling Crab. I had never been there before, but it was yummy! One pound of shrimp in a delicious sauce. I plan on taking my parents there very soon!

Tuesday. RAIN. I couldn't believe it. How could it have been so sunny and warm the day before and then this downpour. The worst part, I had to work that day. Yes, I work inside of an office, but I do deliver packages to some of the units meaning I go outside. Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday in every way.

Thursday was sunny! Again, with this weather. It was also Dad's birthday. I went home Wednesday evening and enjoyed a yummy sausage and hash brown breakfast with my parents. I enjoyed spending the day with my parents just sitting around, talking, and watching episodes of "Minute to Win It" on demand. For dinner, we went to Chuck E Cheese. Both sides of the family gathered which was really nice. It doesn't happen too often.

Friday and yesterday went by pretty quickly. Both nice warm days. Friday night I went to Country Night with the girls. Yesterday I headed back to the bay.

Today was Antonio's First Communion. The mass was held early this morning in San Francisco near my cousin's house - hence my being in the bay yesterday. Lots of family again. I honestly can't get enough of them. For me, it's crazy to watch my cousins' kids growing up. I remember when they were born and now they're taller than me!

Tomorrow is the start of summer semester. It's going to be a tough one and I'll need to focus more. Pray for me! I know I'll be able to do it, but all the prayers definitely help.

summer in review.

This summer has been spent going out with friends in the cheapest way possible. If we go to a restaurant, I eat beforehand and, depending on the place, either buy nothing or an appetizer – it all depends on how guilty I feel sitting there. If we go to the bars, I drink at home, accept drinks from others (always making sure I watch the drink be made for safety!) and simply enjoy the company of my friends. For a nice day in the sun, a quick drive to Lake Berryessa. Instead of going to the movies for $10 plus snacks, I watch movies with the girls and eat ice cream. Though the summer isn’t technically ending for me since I’m not going to school this semester, it is coming to a close for others, hence this quick look back on the past few weeks since my last summer update.

One find of the summer… Plainfield. It’s a bar and a restaurant. It’s out in the middle of nowhere and is one of the funnest places I know of. It’s pretty much a biker bar with great food and an amazing patio out back. They have a stage for concerts and that game… horseshoes. It reminds me of Cheers – the type of place where everybody knows your name.

Now for the best part of the blog – my swollen ankle! No, I didn’t sprain it. No, I didn’t fall. I was bit by mosquitoes! TONS of them. As you can see from the picture, my ankle was huge. It hurt so badly. It was so swollen, you couldn’t even see where the bug bites were. It’s gotten much better now (three days later) but it’s still a bit itchy and not its normal size yet.

There really isn’t much I can say to explain my summer. Below are a few more pictures that recap it fairly nicely.

Tam and Me during a party at our house.

Boys getting ready for sloshball.

Tony and Maya at the pool.

Maya eating her yummy chocolate ice cream.

Me and Becky at Froggy's.

Tam, Steph and Mike... Enjoying their first Wiki.

Jim and Mick on the ride to Berryessa.

two weeks of craziness.

The last time I posted, I had just gotten back from the lovely Sandy Eggo. I've been incredibly sick, finally getting better after a week and a half... though I'm still a little congested. School is good but filled with tons of work. Exam yesterday and an exam tomorrow. Let me get you caught up with the past few weeks.

Easter Sunday: Mom, dad and I went to H.S. Lordships in Berkeley for brunch with the family. It was really nice. There were tons of food options - something for EVERYONE. The kids had a lot of fun too. Maya and Jonah were running around like crazy little kids. AAAAANNNNDDD! Dad proposed to mom! Since they're getting remarried next year, I thought she needed an engagement ring. It was so sweet. I loved it! After brunch, we went to Grandpa's for dinner. It was really nice too. There was birthday cake for my dad and myself. Strawberry filling. Mmmm. It was great to catch up with the family. I know this has been a short recap of the day... possibly too short for all the hilarity with the kids that happened... but I do have pics to fill in some blanks. :)

Mom and Maya

Dad proposing to Mom

Tony, Maya and Jonah having fun

Tony, Maya and Jonah having fun... Video version

Dad and my birthday cake

My Birthday: AMAZING! I was sad not to have Dave with me but he definitely made sure to keep contact. I had class that day, but was feeling pretty sick so I actually spent most of the day at home sleeping. The fun part came at night when the girls took me to Country Night. Tiff came! This is a big deal. We've tried to get her to come to Country Night since November. It's now April and this is the first time. She had a great time though, as did everyone else. I feel so lucky to have such a good group of girlfriends.

Tam, Annie, Me, Sarah and Tiff

Annie, Me and Tiff during Four Corners

Pre-Picnic Day: PD started early for me... specifically on Thursday when Dave flew back up here. I was so excited to see him. It was a really nice few days. We did a lot of hanging out with other people and eating delicious food at local Davis restaurants. Friday consisted of drinking at the Pub on campus and then watching the final run through of the band's show.

Rachel playing cymbals

Nikki and Me

Kuya Thomas giving Jamie and Me a lift
Angela, Caitlin and Me watching practice

Picnic Day: PD, itself, was a blast. We started the day at 7:30 at the Grad for $1 beers. We wandered around campus, different house parties, and restaurants scouring for activities, food and beer. This was definitely my best PD ever. Band PD is fun, don't get me wrong. But it's different being able to just watch and do whatever you want. That evening, Dave had to fly back down to SD. I cried tons when saying goodbye but was surprisingly ok when I got home. I do miss him terribly.

Flip cup at the Grad
Austin during the long show
Watching the end of the parade from 3rd & U
Dave, Garrison, Becky and Ryan
Dave, Becky, Garrison, Me and Regina

Now Dave is in DC for his orientation and leaves for Panamá tomorrow. I think the only thing giving me comfort is the fact that I'll see him at the end of October. I'm absolutely determined to live down there for two months at the end of the year.