There are things that I want to accomplish before April ends. Maybe by posting it here, someone out there can help me accomplish one, two or all these goals. :)

1. Pray and fast more.

2. Doing more exercise!!!!!

3. Sleep more.

4. Do my taxes.

5. Plan out all my logistics and details for my BIG ADVENTURE.

6. I want to simplify my life. I feel like I've already done as much as I could, but something inside of me is nagging me that I need to do more. I've been thinking about downsizing my car and getting a smaller one. What do you think?

7. Do a budget and keep to it. :)

8. Update, upgrade, remodel, whatever you want to call it, this blog.

9. EAT BETTER. Seriously. I know I've blogged about this before, but I really DO need to start eating better.

10. To organize my closet. It amazes me how my closet is still so packed even when I have 2 large bags of clean clothes sitting on the floor and clothes that I don't bother to hang up after wearing piled on top of one another...on the floor. Why is it still so jammed packed and yet I keep buying? Well...that will need to stop!!!

So, now that I've shared with you all of these, I'm going to ask you that you hold me accountable. Thank you!!!

THE ADVENTURE.

I'm taking an adventure this year. It's a pretty huge one.
I'm taking a risk and a HUGE step of faith in all of this.
It all started with a thought, a longing, a desire that I couldn't shake off. It depressed me to no end that I wasn’t pursuing it and I knew that I had to do it.
Then the question came, "Grace, are you willing to take this journey even though the outcome is unclear?" After much praying and thinking...my answer is "Yes. I am."
Things started to unravel. One confirmation after another.
I’ve been making efforts and steps to make this adventure happen, but ran into some stumbling blocks that made me wonder “Hmmmm…interesting. Maybe it’s too good to be true.” I felt a little bit defeated and start doubting this whole thing. Then…another confirmation came through just last night!
I’m excited and scared all at the same time.
I have no idea what the future holds.
I know I’m not sharing what this adventure is going to be because I’m still kind of scared to tell everyone. Please do not feel offended if you don’t know. I’m just not at that place yet to share with everyone.
But I am writing this on my blog for one purpose only…for you to pray for me. I guess you can say that “I’m rallying up the troops!” :)
This is going to be a BIG adventure and I need all the prayers that I can get!

I love you all!

DANGLING CARROT.

Being single isn't as hard as people think...not until someone comes into your life and shakes up your whole world. I will be 30 this year and although the majority of my friends are married, I do not regret not being married. Definitely in my early days, I wished that I was part of the "trend", but as I look back, I would not have the opportunities that I've had. I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything!

Anyway, so, we all know that my roommate and I moved into a new place in Ghettoville, Placentia. Well, our next door neighbor is a very handsome single man. He's the typical bachelor. He has a good job. Only has to work part-time. Comes home and sleeps. Goes to Startbucks at night. And repeats.

I met him one night after I came back from a run. I was sitting on the stairs to cool off and out he came. He started chatting with me. We were talking for about 20 minutes and then we decided to go out for coffee. Anyway, we had a good time over tea. I introduced him to Coffee Bean. :) After that night, we didn't see each other for 1.5 weeks. I was alright with that. UNTIL this week...

You see, this guy, who lives next door to me likes me. He likes me and wants to hang out with me. He looks at me even when I look the worst and smiles. He thinks I'm cute and can't believe that I'm not dating anyone. Sounds like a great guy, huh? But the problem is that he's not a believer. I feel like a horse with a carrot dangling in front of me. Teasing me of the thing that I want to have but can't. I am struggling so much with this. AND that is why I'm writing this on my blog. Because each one of you who are reading this...I am hoping that you WILL hold me accountable and be in prayer for me. Ask me how I'm doing. Be honest with me. Don't beat around the bush. I tell Elaine and Christina everything because I need them to slap reality into me.

Yes, I've kissed this guy. We've kissed for a long time on Tuesday and Friday.

I made a pact with Elaine this morning no more smooching.

As much as I like being liked and being looked with admiring eyes even when I am in my sweats, hair all up and messy and I smell like sweat, he's not for me. I can't have him. Why couldn't he be a believer?! Oh well.

So, please...HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE!!!!!!!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EATING HABIT UPDATE #1

I was doing so well up until today. I am a stress eater! So, when I'm stressed, I will eat. It comforts me. Today wasn't a good day. Just wanted to let you know. :)

I need to start eating better. So, I'm blogging it to receive support and accountability. So, here are my goals. Hopefully, they are realistic enough for me to obtain.

1. Not eat out as much and to cook more. This will also help me save money. :)

2. To eat more veggies and fruits especially for my snacks.

3. To break from stress eating. I can eat a whole lot when I'm stressed.

4. If I am to eat fish or meat, I am to buy the "wild" fishies and organic meat. Cost a little bit more, but that will be covered by the savings of #1. This is only for when I'm cooking. Going out will be more flexible.

5. To lose 10 pounds. This will be my goal no matter how long it will take.

6. To try to not use the microwave whenever possible.

7. To try my hardest during personal training and not just mediocre work out. To really push myself and burn those calories!

8. To exercise on my own 2-3 times a week for 30-40 minutes each. This is for cardio.

9. To have 1-2 meals throughout the week where I can splurge. Hey, you just need to at times. But if I can avoid it...GREAT. If not, this will give me the option to have cookies, chips, ice cream, etc...so that I don't go crazy! :)

10. To have fun and hopefully to be able to keep it up as a lifestyle.

Thank you for reading this. I apologize before hand for those I will be going out and eat with...I might be one of those people who will take a long time deciding what to eat at the restaurant. :)

DID YOU KNOW...

That you're not suppose to put a child in a plastic tub? In case you didn't, here's a sticker that indicates the danger of it in case you were about to put a child in a plastic tub. Can you believe that it can cause suffocation?!

FOOD GALORE!!!!

So, yesterday we hosted a Superbowl Party at our ghetto apartment. The turn out was great and we had a fabulous time. Anyway, the day before I went shopping for food. I seriously surprised myself because I bought a TON of food! I still have 1/2 of the groceries left untouched and unopened sitting in my fridge. I kept thinking that it wasn't enough and would keep going to the store to purchase more. Isn't that silly? I guess my thing is that I rather have an over abundance of food than not enough. I never want people to feel like they are limited to what they can eat. Can you imagine if I had a sign saying "2 chips per person?" That would just be silly.

Anyway, all this to say that by the end of the day, after shoving all the leftovers back into the fridge, I was pretty much mesmerized and said to myself "Wow! That's a lot of food!"

I THINK...

• I'M BIPOLAR.
• The world is still out to get me. :)
• I still need more stuff or junk.
• Travelling is the coolest thing in the whole entire world! Now, I just need to think of a way of making sure that I have income coming in while I travel. Does anyone want to support me? I don't think my parents would fly with this one. :)
• I need to work off every calorie that I take in...which I know it's highly impossible.
• I need to move out and live on my own.
• I want to purchase a condo/house.
• I want a new car.
• I need to take more steps of faith.
• I need to grab opportunities when available and not shrink back and make excuses.
• I need to do something with the desires and passions that God has put on my heart and not let those pass by.
• I NEED A LOT OF PRAYER!!!!! Not think...I DO NEED A LOT OF PRAYER!!!!!

THE WHOLE WORLD IS OUT TO GET ME!!!!

So, do you ever feel like the whole world is out to get you? Well, I'm having one of those weeks. Ladies, you know especially what I'm talking about. ;) Here's my week so far....

Monday: Confirmed with my friend Ange that the world is out to get me...us...

Tuesday: Everyone that I had contact with said something to hurt my feelings. (Ange, this isn't anything against you, it's just worth mentioning because it's really funny. When you gave me the LU curriculum with all your marks on it, I almost started crying!) To make myself feel better, I went to happy hour at the Yardhouse and had a beer and very fatty foods. :)

Wednesday: People who are chatty and doesn't know when to stop should be locked up. I was in no mood to talk to people who had: (1) no common sense, (2) stupid things to say and (3) no idea when to shut up and leave me alone.

Thursday: Received ANOTHER parking ticket from the STUPID CITY OF PLACENTIA! I hate this city. I hate where I live. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! I cannot keep making excuses and have to face with my true feelings. I HATE IT! See, the world is out to get me! After receiving the ticket, I went to personal training. I thought my trainer was out to get me. I quit half way through because in my mind (which is a dangerous thing), everything he was asking me to do were things that would make me look like an idiot and he knew it and wanted me to do it so that he can laugh at me. I couldn't stay because I wanted to cry. So, I quit and pretty much told him off. (Oops! Don't worry, an apology is on it's way!)

Friday (today): Woke up feeling pretty good about the day until I stepped out and almost fell to my death down the stairs. After that moment, I had NO DOUBT THAT THE WORLD IS OUT TO GET ME!!!!! I'll have to see how the rest of the day turns out.

Hope the world isn't out to get you and you're having a better week. :)

To be continued....

A NEW ADDITION!

Please meet

SAMii!!!!!!!

Isn't she a beauty?

Full name: Samsung

Picked up on January 19, 2008

42 inches

Weight...unknown...average

Proud parent: ME!!!!!

Sibling(s): Wii-bo, dvd player and maybe Bose surround sound in the near future

Distant relatives: all my friends :)

MY NEW TOY!!!

Please meet

Wii-Bo!!!!!

Isn't it a beauty?

GHETTOVILLE

So, my roomie and I are officially moved into our new apartment. It's pretty ghetto. It's the ghetto of Orange County. Christina and I can't help but laugh. It's the only thing that's keeping us sane living here. Oh well. What can we do. We are stuck for a year. We will make the best of it. We already have plans...BIG plans!

Here are a few pros and cons:

Pros:

-Close to the freeway. Cuts down 10 min. driving time to work.

-Close to Elaine!

-Close to church and Cal State (for Christina)

-Walking distance to In 'n Out and Pepe's

-No more weird smelling food cooking.

-Hot showers!

-No more smoke.

-It's quiet.

Cons:

-Parking sucks.

-Easy bake oven (will post picture later)

-Walking distance to In 'n Out and Pepe's.

-No more Target or Gelato across the street.

-G-H-E-T-T-O!

-No central A/C or window unit. It will be a very interesting summer!

-A great view of power plant!

Even though we acknowledge that it's pretty ghetto, we really do feel like God called us here for a reason. Not that we're trying to get all "Christian" or anything to try to cover up our dislike for this place, but a few things has already happened that makes us think that we're here for a reason. :)

That's it for now. If I think more, I will post them! :)

HE DELIGHTS IN YOU.

God speaks loud and clear at times. It's been an amazing journey with my relationship with Him this year. Finally finding a place where I belong makes such a HUGE difference. That is family.

On Sunday, God spoke to me through people I hardly know. I went up front in hope to hear a word of affirmation/confirmation that has been on my heart for awhile, but instead it went completely a whole different direction.

The whole thing was great, but the phrase that stood out to me the most was "God delights in you!" The girl kept saying that over and over again in my ears as the others prayed. I've never felt this way before. For the first time, I felt released and free from the bondage that I've been struggling with. Those words and prayers spoken on Sunday broke that for me. I feel totally different and can see the freedom that has set upon my mind.

This is such a whole new experience for me. To have people pray over you, lay hands of you, prophesy over you...ALL new. It's pretty amazing.

Have you ever experienced such an amazing thing before? Please share!

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....

An article I found that made me just wonder at times about the human species.

Click here to read article.

Let me know what you think.

SO HAPPY!

So, I've never been a BIG sports person. But for some odd reason, I'm really into USC football. I enjoy going to the games, watching the games on TV, reading about the games on the Internet and occasionally, if I'm not at the game or at home, listening to it on the radio. I may not understand every play, but I just love it!

Saturday was the BIG game. USC vs. UCLA. I couldn't get tickets to it, but I had the whole day planned out: Watch the game in the comfort of my own home and by myself. I wanted it this way in case...well...lets just say it didn't happen. :) So, I woke up, put on my new SC shirt, ran some errands, went to the church to help decorate for Christmas, came home, turn the TV on and watched the game. It was so great!

So, now my dilemma...should I fork out money to go to the Rose Bowl or watch it on TV? I guess I would probably get a better view and be much more comfortable watching from my couch, but being at the game is just so different. Maybe I'll get a big screen TV as a Christmas present. (Hint, hint.) Just kidding. :)

Anyway, I just wanted to say that it was a good weekend. My boys won. Got an apartment. Finished 2 lessons for a curriculum that I'm helping to write. Ate at Wahoo's. Exercised. Downloaded music from iTunes. Went to church. Life is good.

What did you do this weekend?

FOUND IT!

We found a place!!! It took less than a week. Thanks for all your prayers. Christina and I will be moving into a 2 bedroom, 1 bath in Placentia. It's very central to our church, school and work. It really is a God-send and the very last apartment that we looked at. So, now just pray that I have motivation to start packing up my junk and move.

Hopefully this is the last time I will move into an apartment. Next time I move, hopefully it will be a place that I purchase. :) I think it's about time I start considering that and maybe start saving...nah...life is too short. I'll just consider it for now. :)

I AM SPOILED.

Yes, I know. Many of you wouldn't tell it to my face, but I am no longer ashamed to say that I'm spoiled. :) But in all honestly, in lieu of Thanksgiving, I think back of all the great things God has spoiled me with.

Here are 10 reasons why I am spoiled by God...

1. His daily blessings

2. Family: not only do they support me in my crazy ideas/adventures, but they truly do spoil me with their love and making sure my bank account is never below a certain limit! :) For that I am truly grateful.

3. Good friends

4. A job that I love

5. His neverending love, patience, mercies, forgiveness on my life

6. Never having to go without: money, food, car, a roof over my head

7. Good health: especially for my parents and my grandmas

8. My oldest brother and his wife accepted God and has changed in tremendous ways

9. My church, Southlands. I've learned more in the last 3 months than I have in the last 4 years!

10. Peets Coffee, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, MEAT! (Yeah, vegan during the week, meat on weekends is my plan. :)) and GELATO!

What are you thankful for and how has God spoiled you? Please share!

I HEART MY JOB!

There are a lot of perks at my job and one of them is where I'm going to stay this weekend! It's for our major donor event and lucky for me, my friend Ange, is on the planning team, so I'm crashing with her in her room. PLUS, Brother Andrew is here! I'll post those pictures later. It's exciting and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it! :) Hope you'll have a great weekend as well.

Our room at the Four Seasons Aviara, Carlsbad

Our bathroom. :)

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION #2,3,4,5,6....

So, this week was full of fun! My friends at work spoiled me to no end and I spoiled myself today by going to the spa. I treated myself to a full hour massage with hot stone therapy. And then I spent 2 hours sitting in the steam room and jacuzzi. It was fantastic. I felt so relaxed that I spent the rest of the night with candles lit around the room and with my iPod in my ears listening to David Crowder Band. It was a great way to celebrate my birthday! I think I will be visiting the spa more often. I wonder if they have annual passes like Disneyland. Hmmmmm....

"Thank you" to all those who dropped me an email, left me a voicemail (and yes, I don't answer the phone... EVER), sent me a card, took me out for a meal or two, gave me presents, a hug and the list goes on and on. THANK YOU for making me feel so special during this very tragic time for me. :) You are a blessing from God and I am truly grateful for each of you.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION #1

I am having a really hard time this year acknowledging my birthday. I'm not sure why, but it's been really hard to think that I'll be turning 29. That means:

1. One year before I turn the BIG 3-0.

2. My last year in my twenties.

3. 11 years before I turn 40!

4. 21 years before I turn 50!

Yup! All those reasoning scares the H*** out of me. I am just having a hard time. I don't know what I'm going to feel when next year rolls around, but for now, turning 29 is crappy! As much as I refuse to celebrate it, my friends are needing an excuse to go out. So, here's pics from my bday celebration #1.

Ephraim, Shannon and Christina at All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ.

Meat. Yum!

Kimy (my other Asian friend) and me.

My very FIRST COACH anything! Thanks Kimy!

Good friends+good food+GREAT presents= Priceless good times.
I guess that's worth getting a year older. :)