Cafe Victoria

For the week of May 7

Aquarius (1/20-2/18) When the spell is broken, Aquarius, you will be able to tap into resources that you’ve been cut off from. When the spell is broken, you will finally notice three big, beautiful secrets that have been staring you in the face. When the spell is broken, you will slip down off a clean, lofty perch where it has been hard to relax and arrive at a low, funky spot where you’ve be free to feel things you haven’t felt in a long time. When the spell is broken, it will be because you have decided to break it.

Since finishing my graduation program, my Saturday mornings have opened up. Yesterday, I decided to check out the Yoga Community’s 10:45-12:15 yoga class. Here are a few phase that stood out to me during the session:

• Find your place
• Friendships are a reflection of you
• Right here, right now

Last two books I’ve read: “The Kite Runner” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Kahaled Hosseini. I loved them both! The last book I read that I really enjoyed was a year ago, “Eat, Pray, Love” (before it got famous). Hosseini story telling of the women in Afghanistan and the history of the country will stay with me for a long time.

Over coming: a head cold and overseeing ASB Elections

Enjoying: bowling on the Nintendo Wii. Yahoo! I love tax rebates! Matthias spent his part on a Wii. I want to spend my part on a mini holiday on the coast. I’m thinking Sea Ranch but just saw a sweet deal on Costco Travel.com for another coast resort.

Wish I had: spent more time with my co-hort. My graduation was last weekend and it felt so quick. I saw them at the hooding ceremony, before the ceremony at Starbucks and then during the ceremony. The last time I saw them all, we had 2 weeks together. I told Heather that my next adventure will be a visit to her and her family in Kentucky.

Recent buy: The Catch and Release soundtrack.

What’s next: Transitions. I have a handful my current ASB board moving on and a large new group coming in. I think I only have 3 to 5 students from my current board returning. So, lots of transitions. Next week, my sister is making the big move to Santa Rosa.

I can’t believe it’s already been a week since I saw my co-hort and attending graduation at APU. During graduation, I felt more sentimental then anything else. In a way it was my last time participating in a graduation. When I got my B.A., I was excited and free spirited about it.

As I walked into the APU stadium, I thought to myself, “I want to remember this moment”. I started to cry when I saw Matthias, Mom, Dad and Missy. I could not have done it with out them. I was soo happy they were there to share it with me. I loved sitting in the second row with Heather, Tira and Erin. The ceremony was very intimate. I liked that the university opened with a prayer lead by a mother whose daughter was graduating that day and closed with a husband whose wife was graduating as well.

The speaker, Marianne Hattar-Pollara, talked about the importance and significance our graduate degree has in following Micah 6:7-8 “Do Justice, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly with God”. If I had a favorite scripture, I would have to say that one. I never would have imaged myself attending APU. I am really glad I did.

How does it feel to be done: It feels like, “Damm, that was a lot of work!” When I look at the M.Ed. at the end of my name, I feel proud, honored, and grateful. I also feel motivated. But first..Need to breathe..slow down and take it all in.

Friday May 2 and Saturday May 3

Now that I am done with capstone and my classes, I am slowing down. Work is still very busy. However outside of work, I am sleeping better, making it to yoga and connected with friends. The weather on the weekend has been perfect. High 70’s. A few weekends ago, Maria and I went for an old familiar hike in Calistoga. Then there was the Sunday Matthias and I went to Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo and enjoyed walking around looking at all the animals. Best part, the shark tank! This weekend we are taking the Larkspur ferry to a Giants game. Next weekend it is off to graduation at APU.

With each day with out homework, I am slowing down and taking care of myself. It feels soo great!

Matthias received his official media pass and parking sticker for Infineon Racetrack in tonight’s mail. Yahoo!! No more walking miles from our car to the Grandstands. Ahh..but my Dad and I will always have our legendary tale from the first NASCAR race we went to. There we were, walking back to our car for what felt like forever as we hiked from turn 2 to lot 11 near the Lakeville Hwy entrance. It took us an hour and ½! For those who may not know Infineon, let’s just say this is the farthest you could part from the track.Thanks Matthias for making awesome videos for the racetrack and landing us passes to the closest parking lot! Watch Matthias video’s on YouTube.

This past week I went to my student affairs advisor professional conference near Disneyland. It was just what I needed. I got the chance to room with some girl friends, catch up on work and being married. Both nights, I stayed up late talking about when do you make the life changing discussion to have kids and change jobs. I told Matthias, men have poker, women deep talks. Each time someone asked how I was doing, all I could do was take a deep breathe and say, “I am four weeks away from finishing my grad program”.

I came to the conference with my mind heavy, my heart racing and all I wanted to do was check things off my to-do list. On the second day of the conference, the conference planning committee started the day off with a stress releasing workshop. This amazing peaceful woman led us through mediation and would repeat, “All you have is this moment this breathe”. By the time the mediation was over, tears were running down my face. I realized that I cannot control next week or even a year from now. Why worrying about when to have kids or finishing everything I have to do. It will not help me feel less overwhelmed.

Since then, I have started to say her mantra, “All you have is this moment this breathe” each time my heart starts to race. I’ve also being keeping in my mind this amazing advice I read in last month’s Real Simple Magazine, “You can have all you want just not at the same time”

This is Matt testing something for Vicky.

For this year’s Oscars, the only movies I saw that won something were “June”, “Once” and “The Bourne Ultimatum “. All great films. My favorite part was the live performance of the song from the movie “Once” and the musicians winning the Oscar. It is such a powerful song. I recommend renting “Once”. Marta played it for Kristina and I. We loved it! Another great Irish film. The next movie I hope to watch is “Into the Wild”.

Thanks Academy for another great night at the Oscars.