Year in Review

Focus. Focus. And one more for good measure, focus. This is going to be my parting mantra for 2009 and heading into 2010. This year God-willing, I want to stay focused not on what the world thinks is important, but what I know in my heart God has called importance to. To be less about me and more about Him and serving as a reflection of Christ to others. (I feel like there should be a Hallelujah in there somewhere). With that said, here's my recap of 2009...

This is a rendition from a post I found through Shutter Sisters.

The #best09 Prompts

Trip- What was your best trip in 2009? Duh. Kaua'i was a very rugged and simultaneously serene family vacation. We ate like Hawaii royalty every morning with french toast, guava juice, french toast, omelets, and yes french toast again. This trip is sooh to blame for my obsession with dried mangoes. To sum Kaua'i up, roosters, rainforest, roosters, mosquitoes, roosters, must-see plantation train tour, roosters, Bubba's Burgers and killer milkshakes, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, roosters, Marriott water slide, roosters, Fern's Grotto, tiki torches lit nightly, roosters, and my beloved mangoes.

Restaurant moment- Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind? I'd have to say that it's a toss up between the breakfast french toast in Kaua'i with the dinner buffet that we had on the last night. My family and I experienced an gastronomical delight of massive proportions, that I'm still trying to work off. The sheer selection of pastries had me practically going into a food coma. Everything stands out in my memory, but probably the mini eclairs that were melt in your mouth sinful!

Article-What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year. Blank on this one. But please share if there's some amazing article I failed to come across this "09 year.

Book- What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies? Without a doubt, Margart Feinberg's Sacred Echoes and Organic God deeply spoke to me. I started it because of a church group that was doing a study.

Blog find of the year- That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year. Shutter Sisters and Bianca Juarez's, In the Name of Love.

Moment of peace-An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there? My peace this year came not just in solitude, but in community-my growth group helped to bring me this complete sense of peace through laughter and support. Thanks chicas! Much love!

Challenge Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you? By far, finishing my master's project on First-Generation College Students and Integrative Approaches to Reducing Street (sounds super academic, huh?) There were major highs and lows of writing such an intense paper, but through God's grace, His mercy covered my mood swings and I did make it to graduation day to accept my Master of Arts in Counseling (not the MFT sort, more like academic counseling serving students..but I digress).

Album of the year-What's rocking your world? Two Words. Addison Road. Enough Said.

The best place- coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook? Any pew at church, it provides a sense of safety and retreat that freezes time.

New food- You're now in love with Lebanese food and you didn't even know what it was in January of this year. Empanadas and Pupusas. Something about them just makes my mouth water. Then again most food makes my mouth water.

Tea of the year- I can taste my favorite tea right now. What's yours? I got hooked on TJ's green blueberry tea this year. It's my cup of coffee.

Word or phrase- A word that encapsulates your year. "2009 was _____." Heart-opening.

Shop- Online or offline, where did you spend most of your mad money this year? What can I say? Forever 21 is a girl's best friend, no matter the budget.

Car ride- What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with? Nada on this one too.

New person- She came into your life and turned it upside down. He went out of his way to provide incredible customer service. Who is your unsung hero of 2009? No sappiness, but family who support me and my dreams in whatever, shade or shape they come in. Gracias mi familia!

Learning experience- What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you? I've learned that daily living for me requires constant surrender of my worries and dreams. Since it is only in this surrender that God can really work in my life...when I finally let my grip of it go.

Gift- What's a gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving? More of a gift given to me. A graduation gift that captures every priceless moment.

Laugh- What was your biggest belly laugh of the year? "Buddha Baby" challenging me to a straight-up stare down contest and winning!

Resolution you wish you'd stuck with. (You know, there's always next year...) Eating less sugar.

Thank God for this year of eye-opening, pull at my heartstrings moments and for abundant blessings to many to name.

What have been some of your '09 bests and dreams for '10? Feel free to share and give me some ideas for 2010! ;)

Peace Out '09, it's been a ride for sure.

Verse of the Week

This week's verse that has resonated with me has been Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It is far too easy to become distracted with everyday circumstances, but this verse reminds me that I can let go of feeling like I have to be in control of every little thing. Because in the end, it's ultimately in God's hands anyway and He has far more awe-inspiring plans for my life than I could ever imagine on my own.

Location Wishlist

I know that if I write down my ideal photoshoot locations, then I'll be more likely to actually put some effort into making it happen. Here's a list of the "ideals" and I'll definitely add to the list periodically.

• Train stations and the classic "track" shot
• Farmhouse and Barn-I can already hear Reba in the background...
• Basketball Court and someone slam dunking
• A field of Sunflowers
• Emeryville Warehouses
• Baseball Stadium
• Empty Indoor Parking Garage-sounds strange, but I've seen some great shots here before
• Graffitied Walls -my ultimate favorite!
• Airport

Study Hall: Post-Processing Software

I always get super jazzed when I find a website that is informative and sooo easy to follow. One day on one of my searches, I came across Patty Reiser from This Digital Life. I sent her a question about presets using Photoshop Elements because this is what I have to work with right now. She kindly and ever so quickly sent me a reply back with the most savvy suggestions. Thanks to Patty and her Tuesday Tutorials, I am now a bit more informed on Photoshop, Lightroom, and Watermarks. Thanks Patty!

Photographer Spotlight: Jules Bianchi

It all started with scouring over photographer websites for my sister's wedding three years ago. My mom and I kept coming across photographers that had good work, but nothing that really stood out UNTIL we came across Jules Bianchi. Long story short, we all met and her funky, original, and spectacular style stood out and we were all sold. Jules and Joy ended up shooting my sister's wedding and ever since then we've been two of her top blog fans. So much so, that when Jules had her new studio grand opening-Jules Bianchi Photograhy Bay Area Studios, guess who showed up to support? Yep, my sister and I were there and can say that we have first-hand experience with the JoyCam...don't be jealous.

Tears and Cheers

TEARS & CHEERS

Every week has its share of highs and not so highs. So, in an attempt to find memorable humor in life's happenings, I'm starting a weekly Tears & Cheers Section. So, here goes to this week's winners...

Tears-Dealing with student loans over the phone, ughhh! Loving the fact that I have a "classic" car, but not loving the pricey bill to keep it working.

Cheers-Major applause goes to storms that literally last for a day and sunshine clear mornings the very next day, bunnies (what can I say, sometimes when I ask God for a sign, it can come in unexpected things), growth groups that refresh my spirit and soul, episodes of Holidate, and library book sales where I was able to buy a Kaua'i book for a buck! Wahooo! :)

Security...Lay it Down

This faith walk that I've been on lately has been quite the revelation. The only reason for tonight's post is so that I remember this particular revelation and not let it pass me by. I had a slightly unexpected pricey bill come my way today and had the crashing realization that I had felt pretty "cushy" until this blow to my current stash. In this moment of rushing heaviness, I was met with the reality that I had based my security not on God alone, but on what I monetarily posssessed on my own. This lesson was definitely not a pleasant one, but appreciative nonetheless for the reminder that God is truly my only security and the worries that can come with having "seemingly" less need to be laid down at the cross of Jesus Christ. For only through, with, and in him does my true security lie. So, Jesus my troubles, I lay em down to you.

Sacred Echoes

So, I just finished this incredible study by Margaret Feinberg called the Sacred Echo and it was pretty awesome. It is about how God can speak to us through repetition, but only if we're attentively listening and open to his whispers that echo through his word, wise counsel, or through random conversation. I sooh yearn for God's voice in my life to be the guiding light through every waking moment, thought and action. But because I can get so caught up in this life being about me instead of being about Him, this study was beyond a welcome refreshment. I'd like to continue on with this theme of Sacred Echoes and keep track of the things that God is speaking to me through his whispering echoes.

As I write, the song that has become this season's theme song, "What Do I Know of Holy" is on in the background by Addison Road and I've started to consider it my special song between God and I. In my life, I really feel that God uses songs to speak to me the loudest and when I'm at my most broken points, He reaches me and reminds me of his outstretched arm that is always in a constant embrace over me. So, thank you Lord for the constant reminders of your power, grace, and constant love that cover me always.

7 Months, But Who's Counting?

Okay, so I've been slightly absent for the last seven months. Why, you might ask? Well, maybe it was 1/2 cup inspiration from Julia & Julie or maybe it was small little sparks in the day that remind me how short life is and how much I want to appreciate each moment. So, in my Hallmark state of mind, I've decided to reunite with this old friend that is writing. The highlights today, would have to be a certain co-worker completely bringing back the running man or in her case running woman, like nobody I've seen. So, to make this first reunited and it feels so good post...short and sweet, I'll hasta luego on this note-We never know what the day holds, but we do know who holds the day.

ASQEW...What a Find!

Okay, so I might be one of the last people to actually have feasted at ASQEW, BUT not anymore. I'm an official fan of this healthy and ever so tasty delight of a restaurant. I had always heard about it, but for some reason never tried it until this historic day where ma and I had chicken kabobs and the most Delicioso cilantro and lime rice and killer mac n' cheese! This was my attempt at getting some backlight and just an overall fun outing. Here's to Bay Street in Emeryville, where a good time is always in store.

Christmas with the Fam

So, this year I've been getting into taking pictures in order to gear up for my new camera in the near future. So, this Christmas was pretty mellow and included gingerbread houses, limited sweets, but popular carmel popcorn (by yours truly), grandma as the bank of Carmen (no envelopes needed this year), which all the grandchildren understand, new fashion trends by Wendy, the "funny" face pose, and lots more memories. Next year, God willing we need to pump it up more and have some sort of singing competition, pic contest, or pie eating something or other...