Christmas, Birthday, New Year

OK....so I totally failed at keeping up with this!!! Part of the reason was I wanted to post the pictures that go with my vacation, and I didn't bring my cord to upload them on my mom's computer :(

Christmas:
Our week with Temo's family was very nice. We didn't actually celebrate Christmas with them, but we hung out and Temo got to play in his Alumni Game at the high school. They won in PK's (penalty kicks), it was freezing the whole time!, and we enjoyed pizza at Mt. Mikes after.

We left on Christmas Eve morning for my mom's in Oregon. The trip was long and boring (but pretty) as usual. Brandy (my older sister) and her boyfriend Chris got there late that night. We all woke up on Christmas morning to open gifts and spend the day relaxing and eating good "mommy" food :) It was really nice having all of us girls together...it's been 3 years since we have on Christmas! Brandy left the next morning, which I was bummed about, because Chris has work. The rest of our almost 2 week stay (which got extended because Temo decided not to take Winter term so he doesn't start school unitl February) was well spent relaxing, shopping, eating good food, and ejoying eachother's company. Here are some pictures:











Birthday:
So, if you didn't know...my birthday is 4 days after Christmas (the 29th). Since it is so close to Christmas and my mom's birthday is 2 days later (the 31st), I always spend it up in OR with her. We spent the day returning Christmas presents and shopping around, and met our boys at Olive Garden for a nice lunch. We were supposed to go see a hockey game in Portland (for the fun of it), but weather didn't let us. I was bummed, because it seems like something always happen on my birthday because of the time of year. But they tried to keep my spirits up and we watched TV/movies and we had chilie cheese nachos, hot dogs, and beer for dinner (what I was looking forward to with the game). My mom bought us a new 37" flat screen!!!! I got to go pick it out...we ended up getting it at Costco. And Temo got me exactly what I wanted but much nicer than I had imagened:






this, a new pair of earings, and a gift card for a new bar/undies at Victoria Secret! He did GREAT this year!!!!!! Overall I had a great mellow birthday. This last Friday I got together and celebrated it with my friends with BBQ, drinks, and games. It was great being able to celebrate with them in Janaury like we always do!!!

New Years/Mom's Birthday:
Since New Years Eve is my mom's birthday, we always do something fun! I spent the day with her shopping (even though we didn't really get anything LOL) and having a great girls day in a shopping center by Portland that she has been wanting to go to. We are lunch at PF Changs...which if you havn't gone to or heard of...IT'S AMAZING!!!!!! Then we met our boys and Cassie and some family friends in Portland for a hockey game. Yay! We actually got to go to one :) It was a lot of fun...I enjoy pretty much any sport live...I love the atmosphere! We then drove home, and Temo and I kissed on Hwy 5 on our way back to my mom's LOL! It was kinda weird not counting down, but being with him was all I needed! I don't have a resolution, but I am hoping for less stress and to stay happy and healthy!



We finally went home on Wednesday, January 6th. Since being home, I have been working some and trying to stay sane. I think I've been doing pretty well considering all that is going on. My parents house (where we have lived and taken care of for 2 years) is in escrow and we now need to find a place to live for cheap! This is a challenge because everyone looks the other way when they hear that neither of us have a steady job. Job...that's the other problem. I don't know if I am brave enough to stick it out with subbing and "see" if I will get enough. So far it's not so hot...so I have been applying for everything that is related to education and hoping something goes through. I want to stay in the education field so that when a teaching position opens up it will be an easier transition and look better.

Wish me luck in staying less stressed about everything in life. I want to live longer, and this is the only way to keep that up!!!!

Opps....

I've been bad!!! I havn't posted in FOREVER!!! I will post again when I get home from Oregon :) Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and New Years celebration!!!

Christmas Shopping

So Temo and I did something a little different for our presents this year. Neither of us have a lot of money to spend, and we always just say..."I don't know" to the time old question "what do you want?". So how do you resolve these two problems...

Take each other shopping for whatever they want and get it for them :) And this is exactly what we did today. We went to the Gilroy Outlets and checked out a few stores.



It ended up that we both wanted jeans, so that was our mission. Here is the problem...I HATE jean shopping, and Temo isn't a fan of shopping in general LOL! How did we overcome this you might ask? We got Starbucks, I reminded him it was CHRISTMAS shopping, and I didn't stress over trying them on or sizes!!!

We were half-way successful...well more than that in having a good time, but in getting our gifts. Temo had a certain pair of jeans from Levi in mind, but was unable to find them in his size. But before we left, we decided to be silly and both try on skinny jeans (neither of us had ever tried on these jeans...it was funny!). He said they looked good on me, but I wasn't convinced enough to buy them, and he hated how tight they were on him. So...we went a search for my jeans (since he was set on giving up at that point) and of course nothing worked. Then we went to Gap (love that store!) and I found two pairs that worked minus one thing on each....so again...a bust for me! But, Temo found a pair he liked...in a smaller size than what he normally wears(that stinker!!!). So, when we get to Oregon we will continue my search for Christmas jeans (hopefully being more successful). I don't think we will do this again, but it worked for this year. It was fun shopping together, but I really enjoy opening gifts and surprising people. But...at least we both are getting what we want this year :)

Here is a picture of the jeans he got!

Christmas Hill Park

No pun intended in the name :)



Yesterday Temo and I took the dogs on a much needed walk at a park in Gilroy that surrounds the creek in town. It's name is Christmas Hill Park, and this is where they have the Garlic Festival in the summer. But during this time of year, everything is green and the view of the hills is gorgeous! The dogs were in heaven not having to be on a leash. Since the weather wasn't the best, we were the only braves ones on the trails by the creek. There is also a paved area above, next to the road...but the actual trails are so much more beautiful. We walked for about an hour and a half, just enjoying the cool weather, the exercise, and seeing the dogs run and run! On our way back, it finally got dark and started to rain!!! Our last 15 minutes were in the rain, but was worth it :) Blaze and Lola were very tired when we returned, and slept like babies all night long!

Enjoying the nature that surrounded us reminded me of when I was in 3rd grade and our teacher would take us on adventures through the property behind our school (in Sonora). He would tell us stories of the people who used to live there and kept us intrigued the whole time. This was one of the best parts of living in Sonora and being in 3rd grade. I hope to be able to live somewhere where I can do this with my students, or at least expose them to the outdoors.

Also, this made me realize that Turlock doesn't have something like this. We both love living in Turlock, but wish there was something like this to enjoy there. I want to find a place like this where the dogs can be free and I can walk and enjoy the peace and quiet...for days when I won't be subbing. Maybe, that will just have to be an adventure I will have to go on when I get back home (to find our own little "Christmas Hill Park").

Christmas in the Park

Well, we arrived in Gilroy safe and sound yesterday, around 5:30. We hung out watching movies and playing Yahtzee. We stayed up until around 1:30 (well I tried to LOL, but Temo did) to send off one of his brothers and nephews to Mexico. They were going to meet others from the family, for Christmas and New Yeas.

Today we went to watch the high school boys play a soccer game in the Christmas Cup. It was a beautiful day with the sun shinning and a cool breeze. Then, Temo said we weren't heading back to Gilroy (the game was in Oak Grove) but were going to San Jose to have a "date." We went on our annual walk around Christmas in the Park. Half way through our walk we got some Starbucks, and then finished walking around looking at the donated decorated trees and other decorations. It is a simple, free tradition but one I enjoy thoroughly. Spending time with Temo, just enjoying each other's company, with no other expectations and obligations, is a part of our relationship I love the most. I wish this simple pleasure onto all who are in a relationship. Things like this are what make me know that we will last forever :)

Christmas with the families!

'Tis the season to be with your loved ones! And this is what we are going to be doing starting tomorrow.

We are driving to Gilroy sometime tomorrow and will stay at Temo's parent's house and keep his dad company (his mom is in Mexico). He has an Alumni Game at the high school on the 23rd, and I'm sure will be playing soccer with the high school team (for fun) or a weekend league the other days we are going to be there! What will I do???...who knows! I will read a book, work on my scrapbook?, blog or go on Facebook...we'll see.

Then on Christmas eve we will be going to my mom's house in Oregon... We will stay there until the 2nd (or there abouts) to be there through my mom's birthday on the 31st and be home in time for Temo to go to school on Monday (the 4th I think). It will be nice having my sister and her boyfriend with us this year, but don't know if my step brothers will be joining us... :( I will also get to see my Gramps who lives in an assisted living home, due to his dementia. I am excited to see him too! My birthday is also during this week and I am very excited, yet don't know what we will do. I'll be 23, not such a big deal :), so whatever we do I'm sure will be fun! I hope that everyone has a fabulous Christmas and don't forget to spend time with those you love and tell them you love them!!! Merry Christmas!

Subing

Well...I have been very stressed that I won't be getting enough sub jobs now that I am finished with student teaching, school, and everything else. But...God has been looking over me this week, and I think he is trying to tell me to stress less and that he will take care of it. I hope this is his message and that this blessing will continue to get better and better. I got a half-day sub job for 4th grade Monday and a full-day job for 2nd grade today...both at Walnut Elementary here in Turlock. Also, last night someone called me from Crowell (thanks to Lisa passing out sub cards for me) asking me to sub today. I had to turn her down, but she said she would keep me in mind.

I figured to make it with all of my bills, food, rent, and gas (the way I have been) I will need to work at least 8-9 days a month. Now, I know this doesn't seem like a lot but in the sub world it is! Teacher's don't go out as much as you would think...and when you are new to a sub list, you aren't called often unless it is by someone who knows you. So...being new, young, and unknown the likelihood is not good, but since I got my name out there with the people and schools I know hopefully this luck will continue.  Thank you God for watching over me this week, and please continue to help and watch over me through this trying time of my life!!!