Cafe Victoria

Even though I have about 5 months left in my pregnancy, I have already started the ultimate search for balance between work, home, and baby.  However, even though stress is alive and kicking, in the middle of it I know there are many things to be thankful for.

• Being pregnant.
• My husband willingness to stay positive and  keep laughter alive, knowing deep down I need it every day.
• My “Valley of the Moms” newsletter from the Sonoma Mom’s club.
• Attending an all girls Friday night  party with amazing women who lead, teach and advice at Napa Valley College and finding the support right when I need it most.
• A working washer and dryer.
• Having the support of my parents and friends only being a phone call away.
• Getting a great night’s sleep.

In away, there is always something new happening to all of us.  This week, I’ve got a new journal, my office’s new Id card machine and camera arrived and I am starting to really believe I am pregnant.  I am in the middle of my 14th week. Today, I heard the heart beat and got the green light from the doctor. This baby wants to be here. Last month, a fellow student life advisor told me that babys pick their moms, natural or by choice. Wow, I am having a baby.

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it,
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I’m going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they might knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on,
cause

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I’m going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Somebody’s you’re going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith
Whoaaa Ohwaoooh

From:http://www.byterology.com/2009/06/02/the-climb-miley-cyrus-lyrics-video/

Tonight it was my turn to host my small church group. It had been a few months since we gathered. I tend to offer my place in the summers because I’m off work a few weeks in June and a few weeks in July. It makes it easier when I’m already home. So, it was great to see everyone. The best part is we have a new member to our group who is my age who joined about 4 months ago. I mention to Natalie, I can organize the group and she could organize the reading. Let’s just say, the holy spirit rocks for bringing Natalie to our group. Natalie picked the Holy Spirit as our focus tonight. She incorporated scripture, a history lesson and lead a great discussion. As we were closing, she shared the following list with us and asked us to share which one really stood out for us.  I really liked it and wanted to share with you. For me, understanding and love was calling out to me.

Gifts of Holy Spirit
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord

Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Love
Peace
Joy
Patience
Kindness
Gererosity
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self Control

It has been over a week since my husband’s left knee has been out. I never realized how much we do that is related to walking until now. For the three day weekend, we hosted my family for the Indy 500, watched a movie,  have been hanging in there threw the rain delays of the NASCAR Coke-a-Cola 600, and have been updating our blogs. I feel like we’ve been watching T.V. for EVER! Once Matthias’ knee is back in action, we are heading out to the local hiking trails. Rain or Shine! There is much to love in life. My advice for today is love your knees!

Amazed: Today, I walked 4.5 miles to the ocean and back through the Point Reyes National Park. That makes almost a 9 mile hike!
Learning: As much as I want to change a student’s behavior, I can only change my own.
New motto: “Life Before Baby” and “Mondays = New Week”
Grace: Believe I am right where I need to be or I would be somewhere else.
Summer Planning: Career Counseling Class at APU in June, CCCSAA Transitional Retreat in July, and taking the train to Paris for a day while I am in Germany for my brother-in-law’s wedding in August.
Next month looking forward to: Seeing Wicked with my sister and Mom

I realized this morning that one year ago this week, was also Spring Break, and I had spent that week finishing my capstone (the portfolio section of my blog). When I think back I remember it being a lot of work! I had fun though. I had to organizing all my essays, upload examples, photos, etc. I sure learned a lot about pdf.

A year later though, I am happy to share that this Spring Break I spend the week catching up with friends and family. Here are a few high lights:

• Playing chicken foot dominoes with my sister and Grandma Grace in Tustin Ca.
• Hiking with Maria and having this amazing clear view from the top of the Sonoma Overlook trail
• Randomly playing bowling on a Wednesday afternoon with my Dad in Grass Valley
• Watching Lost with my parents and seeing them totally understanding the plot and having a blast, while I am totally “lost” (he he)
• Text messages Matthias while he is chilling at GDC (Gaming Development Conference) in S.F., feeling pretty lucky

I need to pace myself
I need to welcome in relax time
I believe we will have fun playing Rock Band at next week’s Student Affairs Professional Conference
I need to pace myself
I need to turn the computer off and read a book
I believe everything I am working will come together
I need to pace myself
I need to forgive and welcome help that is offered
I believe our Annual African American Celebration Dinner will have  great food and the live jazz will be sweet
I need to pace myself

On Tuesday, Matthias and I saw our third Oscar Best Picture nominee “Milk” at the Sebastian Theatre. As I watched the film, I realized how much I love the connection I have with San Francisco and its history. My parents met while living in South San Francisco in the 70’s. Since the film came out, my parents have been sharing with me how they can clearly remember Harvey Milk, his death and the rise of the now known “Gay” Castro. For the film, Sean Penn was amazing. He has my vote for best actor. I think this movie is going to have a future in the classroom. If I could, I would show it right now as a way to teach Gay Civil Rights history.

On Wednesday, my student government offices hosted I love the 80’s CLUB RUSH. I brought the idea of CLUB RUSH with me as awhile to create a 4 year “Rush Recruiting” experience at the two year college. Now, it has become part of campus culture. This year CLUB RUSH took on a whole new vibe. The vice president incorporated games and themes into CLUB RUSH. All I can say is my 13 year old self would have been proud with I love the 80’s theme. Now, you have to remember, most of today’s freshmen and sophomore college students were born in the 80’s or early 90’s. Over a two day period around the noon time hour, 20 student organizations rocked out to Madonna, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, recruited new club members, bonded and learned something new about the decade they were born in. I was born in the 70’s and I’m still learning about how people dressed and what music they listened to.

On Thursday, I got sucked into watching Private Practice and Grey’s Anatomy. For the last 2 weeks, the producers have decided to combine the story line since Private Practice is really a spin off of Grey’s Anatomy. It’s cool. Dr. McDreamy ex-wife’s brother got worms in the brain and the only brain sergeant that could really get them out is of course McDreamy. Ironically, the ex-wife star of Private Practice called him while he was spreading roses all over this bed because he was going to propose to his girlfriend Meredith Grey right after the got off the phone. Which, did not happen because he rushed to the hospital to take care of his ex-brother in law he never got along with in the first place. Ahh…my point is now I better be ready to stay up until 11 on Thursday nights. I will have to say, the Private Practice cast has a lot of my old favorite actors such as the awesome Judge Amy from “Judging Amy”. However, the show itself has a slow story line. As for my Grey’s Anatomy, keep up the great writing! Even if that means you have to write people off the show, which I don’t agree with but that is for another Weekend Update.