Giving Thanks

I am thankful to be back in WA with my wonderful family.  They mean the world to me and spending time with me fills my heart with incredible happiness.  It’s as if I hadn’t even left.

I am thankful for the incredible family that I left down in LA.  Without those wonderful individuals my transition during this year certainly would not have been as seamless or enjoyable.  Everyday is full of laughter and love and I couldn’t ask for better people to share this experience with.

I am thankful for the beautiful snow here.  Never thought I would say it but the contrast between the holiday lights and the bright snow is striking and festive.

I am thankful for the warm(er) weather I have to return to when I head back.  It’s nice to not have to layer up and worry about a frozen face when I head out.  Sunshine puts me in a good mood and there is plenty of sun to look forward to.

I am thankful for the forest trees and majestic mountains.  The beauty of the Pacific Northwest never ceases to amaze me.  I am already looking forward to the mountain view from my bed in the morning and a crisp walk by the river.

I am thankful to live in a city the lies between the water and the “mountains” (okay just hills).  Whenever we make it out of the concrete jungle my heart is put at ease by sand, water, shrubs and altitude. 

I am thankful for the delicious food we ate today, we will eat tomorrow and the abundance of coffee.  Oh what a wonderful state.

I am thankful for the pho, noodles and tacos to be found near our lovely convent.  The diversity of food and cultures in the city is something I have come to truly treasure.

I am thankful for all the people who have touched my life and all of the experiences I had through college and growing up in Pullman.  They helped to shape me and lead me to where I am today. 

I am thankful for where I am today.  I am learning more than I ever could have hoped for about my chosen profession, but more importantly about love of others and service to the poor.  As I have a million times, I certainly feel called to this place and am so thankful for this opportunity.

My heart is, and probably always will be, pulled in two directions.  Between the life I know at home in Washington and the adventure I crave which drives me through the new life I am forging into after school.  I can’t be in two places at once but I am so thankful to feel so happy and content wherever I may be.  Thanks to all who have touched my life and to the Lord who has brought us many blessings.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Vincentian Family Day

Earlier this month several of us Vincentian Service Corps volunteers had the unique opportunity to join together with different local Vincentian groups to celebrate Vincentian Family Day.  During this event we were joined by individuals from the Daughters of Charity, Ladies of Charity, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Vincentian parishes, UCLA Vincentians and other groups.  We celebrated Mass, listened to a phenomenal talk by Father Greg Boyle, and shared a delicious lunch together.  It was a special day as we were surrounded by so many people who are each, in their own way, working to live out their lives as a testament to the mission of St. Vincent de Paul (yes I promise there will be more on him at some point, you might not care, but once you know you can’t help but care).

Father Greg was the perfect person to speak at Vincentian Family Day as he is truly embodies what Vincent preached: love and service.  Father Greg is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation program in the United States, which aims to get gang members off the streets and into meaningful and productive work.  They offer many services for these individuals including tattoo removal, job training, substance abuse and mental health services, education, etc. I bought Father Greg’s book, Tattoos on the Heart, which rivals Three Cups of Tea as one of the most inspiring stories I have ever read.  It contains memories, anecdotes, jokes and spiritual insights from Father Greg’s work with the “homies and homegirls” (his words).  The book is incredibly emotional and intense, describing the successes, failures, tragedies, love, and hope of his mission.  While pricey, it is certainly worth every single penny as all profits go to support Homeboy Industries, clearly a worthy cause. 

Two things in particular really stuck a chord with me when Father Greg was speaking.  During his homily at mass he asked: ‘Do you ever feel like a fraud when people praise for the great work you are doing?  For giving your life to serve others, and the poor?? … Do you feel like a fraud because you know that deep down you are the selfish one, because you know that this is where the joy is.  The joy is in loving and serving and what you get out of it, the joy of God, is more than anything you could ever give…’  Damn, so true, I felt called out.  In those simple words he summed up a lot of emotions I have felt throughout this year.  He accurately explained something that at times I have struggled to, what I am doing here and why. This is where the joy is.  The joy I feel while chatting with a client to whom I am delivering a meal is undeniable.  The joy I feel when chatting with people as I serve hot sauce at a soup kitchen downtown is unparalleled.  The joy that touches my heart while watching little kids living at the shelter dress up for Halloween and “trick or treat” their way through the office is more than I could have ever asked for.  In so many of my experiences here in LA I have seen the face of God countless times, each of them bringing brilliant joy to my heart.  There are other reasons why, but this is what makes it all worth it, even in the challenging times. 

The second piece of wisdom from his talk plays off the first, and that is the idea of kinship.  The vision he presented was one of true love and mutual respect in service.  Instead of an “us-them” attitude, one where one group serves the other but still remains separate, we are called to serve as equals, with each person involved bringing something to the table to enrich the life of the other. It reminded me of one of my favorite clients at Meals on Wheels.  Each time I arrive at his house he is waiting out front, ready to let me in the gate so that I don’t have to ring the bell.  He then walks me up to the apartment, opens the door and lets me in to where I can put down the food and greet his wife.  Both of them always tell me how much they look forward to seeing me, but truly I look just as forward to seeing them.  They are the cutest people and their spirit really uplifts me in the middle of my day.  Kinship.  We serve each other.  Father Greg stated his belief that if we (mankind) truly had kinship we would no longer be searching for peace.  That is truly a thought to ponder.  Where do you see the kinship in your life? 

Vincentian Family Day was an enlightening and rejuvenating experience, one of the many blessings along this journey.  I encourage you once again to read Tattoos on the Heart and to evaluate where you can practice kinship as to truly experience the joy of the Lord in your hearts.

I earned my wings…

Tuesdays have quickly become my favorite day of the week.  Partly because that means Monday is over, but mostly because that is the day I get to work at Meals on Wheels.

When I first talked with a former volunteer about working at St Vincents she mentioned that she worked at Meals on Wheels one day a week.  This particular MoW is located right next to the hospital as it was started by one of the sisters, Sister Alice Marie, who is also a registered dietitian.  Today it is the largest MoW in the country, serving almost 5000 meals a day to needy clients in the Los Angeles area.  Incredible work is done through this program.

As mentioned, I work at MoW on Tuesdays.  I go in the morning and working in the kitchen, either on tray line with the hot food or helping to pack the cold suppers.  After this is done I get to do my favorite part, delivering!  Over the past six weeks I have gotten to know the clients that we deliver to each Tuesday (well someone delivers to them every day, but not me).  There are so many distinct personalities at the different stops, but with time I have come to know them more intimately and they have come to remember me from week to week.  There are certain clients that I look forward to seeing and can now hold more substantial conversations with beyond just “hi, here is your food, have a nice day.”  Of course there are challenges, such as buildings that are difficult to get into or “clean” trays from the clients that come back with bugs (eek this actually happened last week!).  But whenever a client waits outside to walk me with me to their apartment, has the door open and ready for their food, or even tells me I am beautiful, I am grateful for the opportunity to spend just a few minutes with them, brightening their day with food and hopefully my smiling face. 

Working at MoW reminds me each time why I chose to come here to serve.  Malnutrition is a huge concern among the elderly (and disabled) population, and Meals on Wheels works to combat this by providing healthy and tasty meals to so many individuals, regardless of what they can pay.  Without this service many of them might go hungry, due to their ability to buy, shop or cook their meals.  The individuals who work at Meals on Wheels truly are angels, working for these people each and every day.

If possible, I would encourage you to check out your local Meals on Wheels.  Volunteers are welcome and you should be able to give some of your time without making a weekly commitment  Most of the volunteers simply drive or deliver meals.  When I was younger I remember “helping” Grandpa sometimes when we were off from school.  It truly is an uplifting and rewarding experience. 

Playing catch-up

Whew I feel like I am always trying to catch up here.  It really has been a busy month. 

Early in October the VSC volunteers participated in the LA AIDS walk, along with thousands of other Los Angelos.  We walked six miles through Beverley Hills to raise awareness (and $) for AIDS projects throughout the city.  It was a fun event to be a part of and a great chance to see a different part of the city. 

Becca, Meaghan and I at the finish line.

October 21-24 was spent up north for our first VSC Reflection Weekend.  The majority of the time was spent at a gorgeous retreat center in Los Altos Hills.  The grounds were absolutely incredible and it was the perfect place to relax and reflect upon our experiences so far. 

At Provencial House in Los Altos Hills

That Saturday we drove into San Francisco for the day.  I was so lucky to be able to meet up with Ines (a friend from school) for coffee as well as Jenny and Amos (friends from home) for a fun visit to the California Academy of Sciences.  Reconnecting with old friends certainly played a great role in my rejuvenation that weekend and I am so thankful they were available to hang out.  Already I am looking forward to trips back up there in the spring as well their (potential?) visits down to LA in the future.

Inside the rainforest

Jellies at the Cal Academy of Sciences

After a great weekend in SF I returned to drastic changes at my work site, I no longer had a boss.  At the beginning of October we learned that my department (along with a few others) would no longer be directed through the hospital but rather contracted out with a different company.  In the changes both of my bosses ended up leaving and a new temporary team has come in, with another month until the permanent positions are filled.  Where does this leave me?  Well I’m still figuring it out.  I am so thankful to everyone who was involved, my former bosses and the hospital worked it out to ensure that I could continue doing what I have been doing.  Great, I still have a job.  It is a work in progress as the team figures out what to do with me while they are figuring out what to do with themselves.  I am certainly learning patience, flexibility and ways to fill my time as apparently I work a bit too efficiently… It certainly is a unique experience for me, but as with everything I am just making the best of it and know it will work out just as God intends. 

Halloween was this past weekend and what a blast we had.  My housemates and I dressed up as contestants from Legends of the Hidden Temple (loved that show!)  We made our shirts and big thanks to Mom & Bri for sending my old rollerblading gear, it worked great!  Friday I helped out at a Halloween party for the kids at the shelter my roommate Laura works at.  The kids were so cute in their costumes and it was fun to make their day special.  Saturday night we got together with the Boyle Heights community for a celebration, with a fun Miraculous Medal photo shoot before we went out.



Sunday night Jess and I went to West Hollywood where there was a HUGE festival.  Thousands of people were there in their costumes.  It was a great place to get ideas and to see the creativity of others out there.  There was plenty of music, shows and fun to be had. 

Hello Zorro....

"Best" costume of the night

Sooooo many Chilean miners :)

To end the craziness of the past weeks the MM community had our community night last night at the East LA Dia de los Muertos Celebration.  We ate delicious (and cheap) Mexican food and enjoyed getting to know more about this amazing cultural event.  There were comedians, music, booths and incredible altars that families had made to commemorate and remember their loved ones.  One thing I love about this city is that there is so much diversity and there is always events like this going on. 



Whew the time is flying by so fast I can hardly believe it.  I have lots to do so will just continue plugging along.  Each day is an adventure, just the way I like it.

hanging with the hippies

Okay I realize that it is Friday and I should be blogging about what I will be doing this weekend.  Instead I will just post what I have been slowing working on, thoughts from last weekend which was pretty great.

Saturday morning began bright and early (way too early given that we were out the night before) when Jess, Laura, Laura’s bf Ted and I headed downtown to volunteer at the “Hippie Kitchen.” The Hippie Kitchen is a soup kitchen right in the middle of skid row, which is ran by the Catholic Worker of Los Angeles. The Catholic Worker is an organization founded by Dorothy Day in order to “"feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner" and offer a gospel-based critique of the dominant culture within the Catholic tradition but outside the institutionalized structures of the church.” In short, it is a pretty radical group of individuals who advocate peace and serve the poor with a deep love and compassion.  It was fitting with the mission of St Vincent de Paul, which we work to fulfill each day through this year of service.

At the Hippie Kitchen we were put to work immediately buttering bread and cutting veggies. The lunch meal served was a simple, yet delicious spread of beans, bread, salad and fresh vegetables. I was impressed not just with the taste of the food but the nutritional quality as well.  Hundreds of people lined up to be served and were given the opportunity to eat as much as they wanted.  Nourishing food is such an important element to one’s physical and spiritual well being and having an interest and passion for hunger and nutrition I was glad to be helping in this way.  During the meal service period I was outside manning the salt, pepper and hot sauce station. I loved interacting with those who came through the line. Some were happy to just receive a smile and a “good morning” while others joked around or asked me what I was doing there.

The question of why I am here comes up quite a bit from the people I have encountered and is difficult to sum up in a concise thirty-second answer. There are so many reasons why I am here, both with the Vincentians as well as at other sites such as the Hippie Kitchen. A simple answer is that I feel truly called to serve at this point in my life. I want to DO something that truly makes an impact on this world and the lives of others. I know that there will be many opportunities for me to do this throughout my life however I feel like this point in time is a good one because I can truly give all of myself with few other concerns.

As I was standing in the middle of the garden at the Kitchen, looking around into the chaotic scene of all the men and women who had just been served, I truly felt as if I was in the presence of God.  I saw the beauty in his creation, even if it was a different view than many can see.  Sometimes at my worksite it can be challenging to see the difference I am making everyday.  Often I am in an office and even if I am speaking with patients it still can seem ordinary.  While I see that value in my job I was grateful to see such an immediate effect of our work on Saturday.  It was just a reminder of all the need that there is and how all of us have a responsibility to our brothers and sisters to give of ourselves to improve our world. 

I had such a great time volunteering at the Hippie Kitchen. Even though we were absolutely exhausted from a late night and early morning it was so rewarding to spend my morning in the presence of such blessed people, in those we worked with and those we served.  Hopefully we will be back to the kitchen again relatively soon.

I will leave you with some words from St. Vincent de Paul, the words we prayed before we served lunch on Saturday and words we have heard a few times throughout this program.  Serving the poor is more than just giving our time or talent for others.  Rather it is giving all of ourselves with all of the love that we give to those we care about and that God gives to us.

“You will find out that Charity is a heavy burden to carry, heavier than the kettle of soup   and the full basket. But you will keep your gentleness and your smile.  It is not enough to give soup and bread. This the rich can do.  You are the servant of the poor, always smiling and good-humored.  They are your masters, terribly sensitive and exacting master you will see.  and the uglier and the dirtier they will be, the more unjust and insulting, the more love you must give them. It is only for your love alone that the poor will forgive you the bread you give to them.” – St Vincent de Paul

The Fisch Fam Does LA!

Whew this past week just flew by, probably due to heading to bed so early each night trying to catch up on lost sleep from the previous weekend when my wonderful family came for a visit!  I so loved being able to spend time with them once again and we sure were busy seeing the sights around the city.  Friday they met up with me at work and from there we headed down to Hollywood Boulevard.  It was fun to pick out all the stars we knew as well as to read the fun messages stars left in the cement in front of the Chinese Theatre.  We also saw the Koadk Theatre and El Capitan, the theater that Disney uses for their movie premiers.  There was a nice mix of old stars (such as Bing Crosby and James Dean) along with new ones (like the cast of Harry Potter and Johnny Depp).  We ended the night at Universal City Walk where we enjoyed a fun meal at the Hard Rock and shopped around a bit.  A highlight of the night was introducing them to FroYo – California Style!  Okay, so this isn’t just a Cali thing, but I have officially been obsessed since I have been here and now the fam is as well.  Self serve frozen yogurt with soooooo many delicious flavors and toppings.  One of these times I will take pictures, it is just that fun.  I loved making my regular combos and then tasting from everyone elses.  We had it a few times over the course of the weekend and I think they are hooked as well :)

Saturday morning we woke up early, donned our Crimson and Grey to watch our  beloved COUGS play UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena!  After parking in the middle of Bruin tailgating paradise we arrived at the golf course where we enjoyed a laid back Alumni Association event with other Coug fans.  While there was a bit of a sprinkle then it all wore off before kickoff when it got HOT.  With temps in the 90s and no shade in sight I certainly worked on my tan (er sunburn) as we watched the Cougs make a game of it J  I was so proud of them, they looked like they knew what they were doing.  While in the end they didn’t win I was so happy to be surrounded by other Cougs just as I spent so many other fun afternoons in Pullman.  When the game ended we continued our jam packed day and headed back to LA to explore Griffith Park.  Griffith Park is five times the size of Central Park, located just outside of downtown and offering great sights of the city.  There is so much to do in the park as it includes a zoo, bird sanctuary, horesriding trails, museums, the Greek Theatre, the Hollywood sign, an observatory and so much more.  This was my first trip there as well and we went to the Observatory where we caught beautiful (albeit smoggy) views of the city as well as some interesting and nerdy information on space inside.  The park was a great (and free) place to take visitors and you better believe that I will be back, with and without guests in tow.

Sunday we went to mass at the church just across the parking lot (so convenient) before running a few errands.  I thought a laid back morning was more in store since we had been on the go basically the whole time.  Still around noon we finally headed on our way, to Venice Beach!  After a quick trip to In-n-Out (a Cali necessity for sure) we made it to the beach to enjoy the grey day L  Venice Beach is officially one of my favorite beaches down here because of the fun vibe and quirky people.  There are a lot of vendors along the boardwalk selling art, jewelry and all sorts of other things.  We ended the day with  amazing (extended) family dinner of zuchinni macaroni and cheese casserole that Amos made for everyone.  The whirlwind trip ended at 4:30am when I let the fam out of our gate so they could head to the airport back to WA.  I had so much fun with them and loved being together once again.  They must have left a bit of the PNW with me though because this was a pretty rainy week...

The sun did come out this weekend and there were a few events I wanted to mention, but those will have to wait until another day.  It really never is dull here.

now that's paradise

One of the things that I loved the most about my time in Chile was living so close to the ocean. The 15 minutes or so I spent on the bus each morning and evening went past a beautiful coastline. I used to love to walk to the beach and just sit and stare at the water. One of the things that I love about living here is being once again close to the ocean. Granted I don't pass by everyday, but in just a mere 20 minutes I can find my center again as the waves splash against the land.

Sunday tends to be our beach day and today we continued with that trend. However this time we left the typical beach activities in favor of something a bit different, heading to San Pedro in search of the "sunken city."

So unfortunately we were unable to get to our destination due to construction and inappropriate footwear. However we still had a fantastic time enjoying the beauty of this little area. We saw the Korean Friendship Bell, not really sure what it is but it was quite lovely and interesting.

 The Point Fermin lighthouse was so old fashioned and quaint.

 There was a large park full of picnickers. There was even some workers setting up a track to film on. The sun was shining brightly on the water and providing breathtaking views. One of the things I loved the most was how calm and quiet the area was. So many the places we have visited have been full of the hustle and bustle of city life. Here it was so much more open and free. Sometimes it's nice to get away from the concrete and enjoy the beauty that the ocean has to offer.

a day in the life

First I would like to begin by wishing all those in Chile as well as those who love Chile dearly (as I do) a wonderful bicentennial celebration. I wish I could be there drinking chicha and eating empanadas. Perhaps tomorrow I will eat a hotdog.... Or maybe not....

So I have been asked about my typical day. Not really that exciting but here it is ;)

Life in the real world begins early! Okay maybe compared to my last semester of school, but it’s not bad at all. Usually we (the two roommates I carpool with) are out the door before 8am in an attempt to beat the traffic, ah yes the traffic. While not as bad as had been expected, traffic certainly is a roller coaster each day. Getting to and from work can take anywhere from 20-45 minutes and often times there is little warning as to how it will be for the day. Oh joy. On the positive side, it is really exciting when for some reason you hit traffic just right and get home faster than expected. Oh how I live for those days.

Work so far has been going pretty well. There isn’t much to say about it. It is definitely different than working in a lab, which is basically all I have ever done. I am getting used to the whole hierarchy of the workforce and interactions within that but it is an overall enjoyable experience. Basically I have a bunch of little projects that I will be working on throughout the year. I like that I can have independence in my work and am looking forward to the weeks to come when I can have more interactions with patients and such. Yet even just being there I am learning a lot about the process of nutrition care and service within a hospital so it certainly is a valuable learning experience.

The living situation is going great. I have to say that I am so thankful to come home each day to a friendly and caring family. Everyone is chill and as is usual in these situations we have bonded quickly. I am so grateful to be on this journey with such caring and giving individuals.

Okay so one fun thing about community living…. Each of us has a special “role” within the house and mine is grocery shopping :) Lol this excites me so much, which shouldn’t be too surprising. Everyone stops into the store here and there to pick up items as needed but I usually go once or twice a week to keep food in the house, or at least most of the time. I really enjoy this little task as I can then ensure we have plenty of produce as well as other relatively nutritious items at home. However I am still in the process of learning just how quickly 6 people go through food! All through college I basically just shopped for myself so this certainly has been a change of pace. In general we cook family dinner together a few times a week and it is really fun to come up with a menu and then use all of our talents to make it. A few of the roomies aren’t as comfortable in the kitchen as some of us but I have to say that each and every meal, regardless of the cook, has been delicious. Being the foodie nerd that I am I love that we can share our culinary point of views (oh yeah Top Chef) with each other.

Okay so there are just a few thoughts on life here in LA. I am working on a few more posts on a variety of other topics so sometime soon those should be up. Until then, have a good weekend!

checking in

Clearly staying up with the times is something that I am not great at, but I am hoping to be a bit more consistent now that we finally have internet and I have caught up on all the messages that had piled up. I have lots of ideas of things to blog about: service, St. Vincent de Paul, LA, the day to do, my community and such. For now however I will just leave you with some pictures of what we have been up to this past month or so.

Dodgers Game

Many weekends at the beach

Hiking at Runyun Canyon in the Hollywood Hills

MM family minus one

The Getty

Garden at the Getty

Greekfest

Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Santa Sophia

Avon Walk for the Cure

  Lots of love to everyone and thank you for the support.  It feels right and I know that God is with me on this journey.  Many blessings to you.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Whew it's been a while. We still do not have internet at our house (and until today no access to internet reasonably near) and thus these past few weeks have been a test of our patience and a realization of just how dependent we are on technology these days. Seriously, I have felt so lost not being able to check my email or even search for something as simple as a farmers market or thrift store nearby. Fingers crossed for internet soon.....

On a much more positive note, things have been going great! After I left San Fran I found myself with 20 other VSC volunteers in orientation for a week. We learned more about St Vincent de Paul, the Vincentians and their mission as well as more information regarding our living and working situation. It was nice to have a chance to get to know the other volunteers before we split up and into our houses.

Speaking of houses, I love my roommates :) There are 6 of us living in a sweet old (and huge) convent in Montebello (yes my living arrangements were switched around). Everyone is really chill and we enjoying cooking dinner, watching tv (check out Three Sheets!), exploring and spending time together. It's refreshing to come home everyday to people I feel like I can relate to and share my experiences with. We haven't had much of a chance to explore around our neighborhood yet but given that we are in the same complex as our church, getting to Mass on Sundays has been nice and convenient.

Work has been going well so far. I am working in the Nutrition and Food Service department at St Vincent Medical Center. At first I spent my time getting acquainted with the hospital and the meal system and now I am working on some special projects which I like because I can work on them with more independence. My bosses are great and I appreciate that they have listened to me regarding my future plans and goals, meaning I will get a chance to go out into the community as well as spend some time at WIC. The dietitians are friendly, willing to share what they are doing and I can tell that I will certainly be learning a lot which will help me out in my future educational endeavors.

Us volunteers don't have a lot of money but we still can have some fun! So far we have visited Santa Monica and Malibu beaches, gone to a Dodgers game, learned how to drive on the freeways, relived some of the college days and have made many more plans for passing this next year. As I said before I so love sharing this experience with others who have chosen to give up a year of their lives in service to the poor. It is really great to come home and listen to my roommates and friends talk about their days and their sites as it helps to give me even more insight into the work that is going on here.

Today it hit me that this is where I am meant to be. Right now it's just the new and exciting beginning. Certainly life here will not be roses everyday, but in those times I will be comforted my the true belief that I am here for a reason and that our presence here is making an impact on others.

longgggg delayyyyyy

Edit: I wrote this while I was in San Fran and planned on posting it at the airport in Oakland. Long story short, I was over weight, got flustered and checked my computer. Oh yeah and then we haven't had internet in like 3 weeks. So a bit overdue but enjoy.......


California here we comeeeeeeee!

Okay so it's a little late, I'm already here. I’m just finishing up some last minute packing about to catch BART to the airport and eek I can’t believe it has come so quickly! I’ve been having so much fun this week that the move just sneaked up on me…

Last Monday I left Pullman with Katherine and David, two friends from WSU. We survived the 16 hour drive and even made a few side trips to the Jelly Belly factory and the Napa Valley. Napa was gorgeous (albeit a bit yuppy) and I would love to go back sometime to take the wine train and visit the area even more.

The first part of the week was spent catching up with our lovely friends Brian and Ines, two more friends from WSU, as well as catching all the typical touristy sights. Highlights for me included walking along the pier and looking in on the city, battling the little kids to play with the exhibits at free day at the Exploratorium (similar to the Pacific Science Center), hiking up and down crooked Lombard street, buying sunflower butter at my first Trader Joes, exploring the amazing and MASSIVE produce section at the Berkeley Bowl, eating Inés’ famous (at least to me) crepes and evening games with my friends. Wednesday was full of birthday greetings through text and Facebook so thank you to everyone who was thinking of my on my special day! I truly enjoyed spending it traveling with great friends. Surprisingly the weather was chilly, which is apparently typical, but the sun did break through the clouds a few times and it was gorgeous.

On Friday K and D headed back to the PNW and I spent the day exploring the downtown area by myself. After disappearing into (and loving) the MoMA for the morning I wandered through Yerba Buena Gardens and the rest of the Union Square area. There were fancy stores galore but give the already over-packed suitcases I have I just passed along by. One thing that surprised me was all of the old beautiful buildings in the area. Older architecture isn’t as common on the West Coast but San Fran’s history as an old port is evident in these sights. Once Jenny, a good friend from Pullman, was off work I was able to spend time with her. After all these years it is really special to reunite and see her new life in the city. She lives in a great little part of town with a lot of character and we walked all through the different areas: the Mission (very diverse with a lot of Latinos), the Castro (full of Pride), Noe (reminds me a bit of West Seattle), and SoMa (where she works). We loved looking at all of the cute San Francisco houses. They are so beautiful I really don’t understand why there aren’t more places like that in other cities…. Finally, I went to my first ( and probably only) fashion show! Let’s just say that the fashions were iffy, I felt horribly out of place next to Jenny and her fashionable roommates but I still really enjoyed the experience.

Yesterday I drug myself out of bed to get out of the city for some hiking! I met up with Janel, an old family friend from Pullman, and her husband Ian. They have been living in the area since they got married and it was so nice to see Janel again and to spend the day with them. We went on a little hike at Mt Diablo State Park which had beautiful views of the area and the finished up with a yummy lunch and fro-yo in a little suburb. It was such a warm sunny day and it felt great to be out of the city, in the sun and being active. I am hoping that LA will provide some opportunities to get outside and hike because it really is a nice escape from all the people and concrete.

Overall it has been a fun and memorable week in the Bay. May blessings to you all and that next time you hear from me I will officially be a Los Angeles resident!

tick tock goes the clock

Ah so close until I leave and still so much to do it seems!

I probably shouldn't freak out so much because realistically I have a lot less to do given that I am currently living out of boxes at Bri's.  Right now I am really thankful that I did the major move out of my apartment back in June because that certainly alleviates a lot of the work and stress.  Most of my clothes are packed and surprisingly I seem to be doing pretty well space-wise.  Thank goodness I booked my flight on Southwest so I can take my two suitcases without worry.  In a way it has been very freeing to consolidate all of my stuff and only take the essentials.  Living simply is something I am really looking forward to, though it did inspire me to take one final shopping trip this week as I don't think I will be doing that much this coming year ;)


Plan for the week -

Thursday: Run into the lab to finish up and say goodbye, dinner with the Guettinger clan & Jersey Shore party with the Call crew :)

Friday: Finish up final packing and cleaning plus hopefully catching a few final people in Pullman and enjoying my last night.

Weekend:  LAKE!  Oh yeah I have planned my week so I get one final weekend there as it seriously is one of my favorite spots ever and I am looking forward to spending my final days with my parents. 

Monday: Drive all the way to the Bay Area with Katherine and David.  I am so excited to spend the week with Brian, Ines, Jenny and Janel. 

August 9: Flight from Oakland to Los Angeles!  Someone will pick me up at the airport and the adventure begins with a retreat/orientation with all the VSC volunteers which lasts until Friday.


Whew this summer has just flown!  Time to get back to packing so I will be ready to go :)

In the blink of an eye...

... three years have passed.

It's so hard to believe that three years ago yesterday I got off of a plane in Santiago to begin the adventure which absolutely changed my life.  There is so much that could be said about my time in Chile and I probably STILL talk about it too much but it was such a pivotal experience that it simply cannot be pushed to the back of my mind and forgotten.  In many ways I don't even remember who I was before I left.  I met incredible people, experienced some of my most joyful and painful moments, made mistakes and grew up more than I could have ever imagined.  My time there introduced me to my love for travel and adventure which I have chased ever since.

All these musings are more than just reflecting on the past, it's the beginning of my reflection on the future and what is to come in LA.  This change couldn't come at a better time as I feel like life in Pullman has become stagnant and my heart has become restless.  As much as I have tried to push through this feeling I don't feel like I am living my life and experiences with the same enthusiasm and drive as I once did.  Instead I feel stuck.

Moving to LA is going to be a new adventure, working at the hospital a new experience and living with strangers a new situation.  I know that it is not going to be perfect and that there are going to be challenges.  Living in Chile was not always easy but it taught me that I am a strong and independent person who can handle whatever is through at me.  The months after I returned from abroad were so important as they allowed me to really process my experiences so that I could use them in the future.  Each experience since then, including my travels through the US, Mexico and Guatemala, has also assisted in this growth and I cannot wait to take all that I have learned with me to LA to have it all shoved in my face so I can learn some more.

While my excitement grows, there is a piece of me that wishes there was a way for me to live my life as I want without having to leave those I love behind.  Moving away from my family and friends is difficult as I love them dearly.  However I don't think that it is fair for us to have me physically present if my mind and heart are elsewhere.  I do think that I will end up closer to home eventually but I need to go out, learn some more and rediscover my passion for life.  Watching the trailer for Eat. Pray. Love. (one of my absolute favorite books) brings this to mind as the main character justifies her journey by saying "I want to go someplace where I can marvel at something."

Soon I will be off to marvel at the world and all it has to offer.   I am a Cougar through and through and am sure that there will be moments in the fall when I will long for a tailgate before football, mass at St Thomas More or a ridiculous night at Mikes.  Yet I am looking forward to exploring LA, enjoying the beach and making a fresh start.  It's time for a change of scenery and I am ready!

World Cup / EL Mundial

It's official: I'm into soccer.  The World Cup has me hooked.

It's about time.  I LOVE sports and soccer (or fútbol) is the sport of the world.  Don't get me wrong, I will forever be enamored with baseball, softball, basketball, American football, volleyball and the slew of other events I can often be found watching.  Yet now I can add soccer to the list, which in a way is a relief given all the Sounders fans I know and the overall soccer fanaticism in the Latino culture I love so much.

The World Cup has peaked my  interest for a few reasons.  First and foremost it has provided me an opportunity to watch the game with people who know (and love soccer) which has helped me to understand all the rules better than before.  A lack of knowledge of the game certainly has hindered my interest in the past, but every day I am learning something new and all the pieces are coming together.  Secondly it has given me a reason to care about the teams playing which for me is an important factor, I love the competition.  Obviously I wanted the USA to do well and show the world what we can do but I also LOVED watching Chile play.  I remember when they qualified earlier this year how my Facebook news feed was overflowing with the news.  Chileans love their soccer and they love their team.  I love Chile and thus was excited as well.  Knowing how important el Mundial is to them as a collective nation makes it  much more special than here where people are interested but not as emotionally invested in the outcomes.  Still I was really impressed with those who came out to support the USA, I watched every game at The Coug and was pleased to see it was full each time, even for the weekday games.  Cougs have never been one to turn down an excuse to drink and the free mimosas during the Slovenia game were a testament to that, though I like to think a few converts were won over those early mornings. 

Watching the World Cup has been great fun.  Plenty of smack has run through the lab, though that has slowed down given that the USA and Chile are both finished.  I'm still deciding who to cheer for next: Ghana in order for them to represent the African teams?  The South Americans (minus Argentina...) to support a continent I love and which has been greatly underestimated as a whole?  The Germans given my heritage?  Spain based upon their gorgeous players?  Regardless I look forward to seeing what the rest of the tournament has in store and hope to use my new soccer knowledge to keep up with the Sounders :)

the future....

After 22 years in Pullman it seems that it's time to move on to try something new. The past five years at WSU I have learned much and grown immensely as a person. I made some great friends, fell into an awesome group of people who share my faith, worked in a lab that encouraged me to think and stretch my limits, lived in a different country where I fell in love with traveling and adventure, proceeded to go broke back home traipsing the country, discovered my love and passion for nutrition and healthy living, developed a deeper relationship with my immediate and extended family, and was touched and influenced by the ideas of all those who I had the pleasure of encountering and forming relationships with over this time. 

Volunteering after graduation has been a consideration of mine since my freshman year and all that I have experienced since that time has helped lead me to where I am now. I feel so blessed to have lived all I have and while I have given back in little ways I have always been nagged by the consistent thought that I could be doing more. Yet it always seemed like there was something (big or little) standing in the way such as too much homework or a football game and social event I wanted to be at.  To put it simply, I did what I wanted at the time but I am certainly looking forward to taking this year where service is the priority and no excuses will lie in my way.

Beginning August 9, 2010 I will be in Los Angeles, California for a year of service with the Vincentian Service Corps through the end of July 2011. I will be living in Boyle Heights (east LA) and working at St. Vincent's Medical Center right downtown. At St. Vincent's I will be working both with the clinical dietitians as well as with the food service manager. Outside of work I will be working on living simply :) The program pays for all we need regarding living expenses (rent and food), health insurance, transportation to and from work, and a 25$ a week personal stipend. Exploring the city for $100 a month is certainly going to be a new challenge! All the volunteers will be living together in community and I am happy to be living with others who are going through a similar experience.

As of right now I know basically the basics and am trusting that all the details will work out in time.  Slowly this summer more information will come to me from the program and the rest will be a nice surprise when I get to LA.  Overall I am so ready for a change and cannot wait for this new adventure.