mas cali.

a glimpse of my california.

//my favorite little man showing us all how well he can eat// 

No words can really describe how good it felt to go home a couple of weeks ago. Though it wasn't the first time I went to California since moving out here, it was the first time I visited my family and friends in the bay. We packed so much in during the few days we were in town, driving up and down 80 many many times. I'm so thankful that Dave and I have such loving friends and family who took time out of their days to make sure they had some free time for us. Here are a few of my favorites taken on my phone.

//visiting sudwerk and old friends// 

//i popped the question and asked her to be one of my co-MOHs// 

//the boys reunited// 

//senorita bread//

 //i want to get back to my city by the bay//

//next year!// 

//visiting refuges has to be one of my favorite parts of traveling now// 

 //buster insisted on riding shotgun with dave on the way to the airport//

oh, oh, oh, sandy eggo.

Anz enjoying the beach

As you probably know by now, Dave is finally home after 27 months of living in Panama and one additional month traveling Central America with his brother, Greg. Even though he's in San Diego and I'm still splitting my time between Sacramento and the Bay, we've been able to see each other a good amount. I've made many road trips to SD and back with my faithful companion, Anzuelo, and really enjoy it! Sure, the drive is a bit long, but it's worth it. With school only being on Fridays, driving lets me visit for almost a week and bring the dog. No way would I pay for a flight for me AND him. Plus, after his trip from Panama to America (he was stuck in Texas over night due to some miscommunication)... I don't ever want to put the poor little guy on a plane again. Dave has flown up here a few times, but he can only stay the weekend since he works during the week, so me going down really is the more enjoyable option. 

My visits have been filled with days at the beach, camping, visiting family, watching movies, cooking, running, and just plain enjoying each other's company. I'm so grateful that we have been blessed with the ability to visit each other as much as we have. It's already November and we still have four visits planned! He'll be up here for Thanksgiving, then he's meeting me and my family in Bakersfield for an early Christmas with my cousins, then I'll head down for a week as soon as classes end, and finally NEW YEARS EVE! 

For those of you wondering, school is going well. One and a half semesters and then I'm done! My birthday is actually my last day of school - pretty decent birthday gift if you ask me. I'm done with all of my prelicensure courses, am officially a nurse, and am now focusing on my MSN with a focus in Case Management. I'll be starting my Case Management preceptorship in January at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital - I'm beyond stoked about this opportunity.

Here are a few photos from the past months.

Brent, Dave, and I celebrating NFL's opening day and the
10th anniversary of September 11th at the Chargers game

Camping in San Elijo

September babies in class - Lisamarie, Angelica, Hanh, and Karla

Mom went to the Philippines

Watched my nephew, Tony, kill it at soccer

Eating papusas

Cathy's surprise birthday party

Dave's pumpkin

Pumpkins all in a row - Sandra's, Steve's, Dave's, and mine

Karen's birthday dinner

Anz being a little cutie patootie

Iron Man and the pumpkins

Delicious food at Carney's

Outside of the Griffith Observatory

freedom.

View from Mark's roof

So this freedom is only theoretical, but it definitely feels good. Last weeks was our finals week for the first two classes of the semester. The way the semester works is that we took two classes (pediatrics and critical care) during the first two months and then finishing up with reproductive health for the last two months. Those first two months were trying and I'm glad they're over with. So yes, I'm still in school, but it feels much calmer and less chaotic.

Before I get into my life since my last post, here are two little things that have given me entertainment the past week.

#1. My Manong Marc is an amazing sports journalist who covers the New York Yankees. He also has a blog that sheds light on his world. Every now and then, he posts something that I would have never expected to see in my life and probably wouldn't have found had it not been for him. Case in point, a recent post of his spoke about two things most Filipinos love - Karaoke and Manny Pacquiao. If you're intrigued, follow this link to see what I'm talking about. http://carig.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/filipinos-and-the-scourge-known-as-karaoke/

#2. Google directions from Japan to China. Look at step #43.

Alright. October flew by while creeping slowly along at the same time. I couldn't wait until November 5th, the day of our last final. Assignments, exams, papers, clinicals, eat, sleep. That's all I did and focused on the entire month. Again, so glad its done with. As I always say, I'm so glad I have wonderful classmates to keep me going.

My Tatang had been staying with us since before the wedding in July, but he returned to the Philippines on the 15th of October. It was sad, but I'm hoping he'll be able to come back soon. He's hands down one of the sweetest people you will ever encounter - I'm so glad he's my uncle.

Due to school and clinicals, I wasn't able to do much in terms of Halloween celebrations. I did however take a quick break and went to a party at my friend's parents' house. I was there for a grand total of 30 minutes, but I'm so glad I went. It was good to decompress and talk to people. I even got a candied apple! Oh, I was Steve Urkel!

Last Friday, I was able to see one of my dearest friends from high school, Ariel. We went to dinner at Palomino with some other friends. It was great catch up on the past year. We've both been so busy, but I hope to visit her in Seattle where she works.  We also got to see a lovely fireworks show that was occurring on the bay right in front of the restaurant.

Saturday night, I went to Mark's housewarming party in the city. I was thrilled because I was able to see Kim, Ariel (a different Ariel), Mindy, and Nicole. I haven't seen them in so long - Kim especially since she's moved to LA. It was a fun night of catching up and laughing.

Like I said earlier, I'm feeling much more relaxed now that the first half of the semester is done. So relaxed, in fact, that I baked pumpkin cream cheese muffins this evening. Yum!

Things with Dave are good. I miss him terribly, but BBM is definitely working for us. We're able to communicate throughout the majority of the day for free which is really nice. 44 days until I'm in SD with him. So excited!!

Here's a few photos from the past monthish.

Rumi and Rebecca at BJs for lunch/dinner

Stephanie, Me, and Shawna at Joe's Crab Shack

Dad, Buster, Mom, and Tatang

Tatang, Me, Mom, and Ninong

Mark, Nicole, Me, Mindy, Kim, and Ariel

halfway around the world.

Mom, Maya, and Dad

Only two full weeks into May and already so much has happened, yet all I can think about is how much I want to be what feels like halfway around the world. Luckily, August will be here soon and then I will be!

The first weekend of May was spent with family. That Sunday was my nephew Antonio's First Communion in San Francisco. He was so cute in his little suit and tie. During mass, all the kids receiving their first communion stood at the front of the church to sing a song. I got a great video of Antonio doing the hand movements to the song while standing there, bored out of his mind, not singing. It made me remember being a kid and singing in front of church for different events and how boring it could be. I felt for him! After mass, we went to my cousin's house where the family gathered. Lots of kids and lots of food. It was definitely a great day.

Antonio in the middle

The next day was the start of second semester. Not as bad as I thought, but I haven't really gotten into a groove yet. On Mondays, I have class from 9-1:30, work from 2-5:30, and then a medical Spanish class from 7-9. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I don't have class until either 3-6 or 6-9... It all depends on how intensive the topic of the day is. If it is something that we can be taught to a larger group, the two sections join from 3-6. If it requires more attention, we split and I go from 6-9. What this means is... I slack most of the day. Not having anything until the late afternoon makes for a very unstructured morning. I end up staying up past midnight and waking up around 9, when I'm used to sleeping before 11 and waking up by 7. Then I go to Fridays where I have class from 9:30-12:30 and then work from 1-5:30. I need to put myself back on schedule. That is my goal for next week! Sadly, I'll need to redo my schedule come June.

MedSurg clinicals begin in June, and I will be in the hospital on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30 am until 4:30 pm. I've also been told that I will spend a good chunk of Monday night working on my care plans for Tuesdays, so I shouldn't count on much sleep. But we'll face that adjustment when it comes!

My skills class, which is on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday is awesome. This week, we practiced wound and ostomy care, straight and foley catheter insertion/care/removal, and IV maintenance. Next week we'll learn how to insert IVs! This class is only a month long, so I wont have to deal with this class and MedSurg in June.

This last weekend was Mother's Day weekend. On Saturday, another nephew, Elijah, celebrated his First Communion and my cousin Tyler celebrated his Confirmation. Two big events in one day equals two big meals in one day. In the morning, we went to mass for Eli. This mass was more entertaining for me as it was at our home church so I recognized some of the other kids and families in attendance. Lunch was spent with mom's side of the family for Eli. We were also celebrating Rosie's 4th birthday which was the previous Tuesday. Once again, lots of kids. I have to admit though that I look forward to seeing those little ones every time. It's fun to watch them and how they interact with one another. Eight kids ranging from 2-14 years old provides for a lot of interesting interactions. For dinner, we went to grandpa's house to celebrate with Tyler. Dad's side of the family is significantly smaller than mom's, so it was a pretty small gathering. The food, however, was just as good! The only little ones were Natalee and Nathaniel. Both of them have grown so much since the last time I saw them. Natalee is getting ready to walk and Nathaniel sprouted up. I believe he's three and he's already over half my height.

Eli with Wayne Jr, Father Larry, Father Lee, Lorie, and Nikko

Isaiah, Nikko, and Wayne Jr. in the back with Maya, Rosie, and Eli in the front

That night, I went to San Francisco to celebrate Ariel's birthday. He, Kim, and I went to Palomino's along the Embarcadero for food and drinks. It was so nice to see them again. We've all been busy with our different projects and activities that we haven't been able to spend time together - especially since they both moved home to the City.

Ariel and I at Palomino

On Mother's Day, we went to mass and then spent some time shopping! I love the fact that my mom shops. It makes for fun little outings, though I think my dad would disagree. Our MD lunch was at Costco - hot dogs! Mmmm. After shopping, we went home, watched "The Tooth Fairy" which we had gotten mom, and then it was back to Davis for me.

This coming weekend is the Flores de Mayo celebration at my church back home. A few years back, I twice had the honor of crowning Mary in the celebration. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Flores de Mayo celebration at my church, so they have asked all of the previous "crowners" to return. I'll be wearing sashes, crowns, and one of my old prom dresses. Yikes! Though I've never been a large person (the largest size I've ever worn was a 2), my dresses are just a tad bit loose. Luckily, one of them has straps and thus is the dress I will be wearing tomorrow.

As for Panama. I can't wait to go! I recently found out that my last final is actually a take-home which can be e-mailed in earlier. My other final is on that Monday, meaning I could leave almost a week earlier than currently planned. I'm still checking with school to make sure that there are no other required activities planned for that week, but I should know by the middle of next week whether or not I will be spending an extra few days in Panama. I'm definitely going to be there from August 16th-August 25th. Also, a few of my classmates are going on a medical mission to Panama through our school. The dates overlap, so hopefully we will be able to meet up. I'm planning on participating in the mission next April.