Trying New Things

So, I am almost 'all the way' moved into my new apartment. 

(I'll be posting photos likely with the next blog that I write, in due time.)

 It's the first place I've been in that has a lease in my name.

But with this new apartment, comes new responsibilities, like keeping the space organized, and paying bills.

Luckily, I was given a promotion at work recently (from Barista to Lead Barista... Kind of a lower management level position), which means that I will be able to work more flexible hours, and have (though it is slight) a pay raise.

With all kinds of obligations now, I have still to 'ball' harder on a budget, and do some things that I'm not used to doing.

Crazy, right? Trying new things? What?

The first thing I'm focusing on is food--

as in cooking for myself, not splurging a whole bunch on junk, and eating healthier.

With drumline in full swing, I'm in the best shape I will be all year-- unless I learn to maintain it.

So here's my first shot at a home done smoothie.

My roommate, Erin, brought this beauty (the blender) with her to Morgan Junction (that's the name of our apartment, I will indeed explain more about my place later), and today I was able to figure out how this old school piece of machinery works.

I threw in some frozen mixed berries, frozen pineapple chunks, chopped carrots, then added grapefruit juice.

Voila!

It was a bit sour due to all of the grapefruit juice, so next time I'll cut it with some other liquid.

Readers: Do you have a suggestion of new things I could try?

I'm thinking healthy, borderline-simple, and frugal!

Thanks for reading! I have a smoothie to finish!

The Pursuit of Happiness: Counting Blessings

Life is hard. I mean, really really hard. Making day to day decisions and managing time while trying to take care of yourself is an ongoing challenge.

Lately, my biggest stresses have been about my self-esteem and whether or not I'll be able to achieve my education and career goals, or if they're even what I want. 

But even in that, I realize something:
I am so very blessed.

An example of this is by considering the situations that others are in, in comparison to my own--

A few months ago at work, a man came in and gestured something to my coworker, Katie. He mouthed "I am deaf", and asked for a pen and paper, which Katie handled him. He wrote his order on some receipt paper as follows:

I proceeded to make his drink. He said "thank you" aloud, with the biggest smile in his face. 

I swear, I'm such a baby, but tears welled up in my eyes as I realized this man was doing just fine, if not better than most of we "non-disabled" people of the world. They hold the most determination and pride that I have ever witnessed.

Another man came in only a few weeks ago. 

He was in a wheelchair and had to be pushed by someone. 

After I finished making his drink, I was asked to push him over to the windows so that he could look outside. 

Yes, there was a big line and everything, but I couldn't help but make this man the priority. 

You see, these kinds of things are what brings hope and compassion alive and burning in my heart. 

I feel like whenever I am losing faith, 

He shows me just how to appreciate life

and reminds me that I am so very blessed.

That will always remain true; being God's child brings me daily blessings, I just need to get closer and closer to him. Sometimes I lose sight of that.

I am writing this as I pack up my Orting room, breaking down furniture, and preparing for another huge transition in my life. 

I am so blessed to have the opportunity for an education at such a great institute like the University of Washington, and this year I am going to focus more on my academics, as well as the daily blessings I may have not taken notice to last year.

Let's count some blessings, shall we?:

1. I am blessed to live in the beautiful PNW. 

The beautiful new stadium, with a beautiful PNW sunset.

2. I am blessed to be a part of the Husky Drumline,

which brings me to--

3. I am blessed to have played at the first game in

the newly renovated Husky Stadium!

4. I am blessed to have such great friends from

all around the country, and possibly the globe.

(Speaking of across the country:...)

My  incredible brother, Braxton.
He lives in Waco/Baton Rouge,
but he is such a strong man of God
and huge support to me.

This is Devin. He lives in Oklahoma,
and let's just say that he's one of the craziest guys I've met.
He's a tenor player, so that explains a lot.

5. I am blessed to have food to eat, clothes to wear, 

and a warm place to stay every night.

I should return to packing, but as I do so... I continue to reflect on all of these blessings, and more.

For these things, I am forever grateful.

Remembrances of the Woman who taught us to Believe

A small portion of the extensive Daffodil Festival Family.
Eatonville, 4th of July, 2012

Being a Daffodil Princess is more than just wearing a fluffy yellow dress and tiara while parading around the Northwest. It's even more than the insanely packed schedule, full of volunteerism and civic meetings. No, being a Daffodil Princess means joining a family that has been in existence for around 80 years.  

My selection night
 Nov. 17th, 2011.

This family is unique to each year, because though most of the Daffodilians remain familiar, their roles change. Additionally, the Royal Court changes each year. One of the biggest mentors during a princess' reign is the Daffodil Festival President for that year. 

In my year, 2012, that was President Susan Angeline McGuire. She chose the theme for the Daffodil Parade that year: Don't Stop Believing. Boy, did it really apply.

Especially when we lost one of our very own princess sisters, Alexandria Cole. Susie was always there for us, and really helped our court come together and stay strong. She always said in her president's speech: "It doesn't matter if it's Santa, or the Easter Bunny; all that matters is that you believe."

Susie taught us that it's okay to be sad and to be hurting, because you could still smile with tears streaming down your face. She showed us all that when you are hurting, you can still be strong, if you just Believe.

Tapping me as an official Daffodil Princess.
Princess Promenade 2012.

There are so many things that I will remember of Susie: the genuine joy that shined with her smile, how proudly she would show off her granddaughters, and even how she adopted we 2012 princesses as her own family, too.

One of my personal favorite memories was when I was working at the Puyallup Farmer's Market in the Concessions area and posted it on Facebook. Lo and behold, Susie showed up with her granddaughters to say hello.

My absolute favorite thing in the world about Susie was her hugs. Every time I got a hug from her, I never wanted to let go. Her hugs were so loving and comforting, I swear they could have cured disease.

Susie taught me that dealing with adversities never has to be done alone. With her now up in heaven, she can be with her husband, and give those long overdue hugs to Princess Alexandria. Most importantly, I know that she is still there, urging us, to believe.

Heaven has gained another angel that will shed sunshine on us for years to come.

I love you Susie, thank you for touching my life.

Frugality for the Broke Barista (& Reflections from Year One)

Seeing as I'm working as a part-time barista in downtown Seattle while attending college at the University of Washington full-time, I am sure y'all can understand that I'm serious when I say that I'm an incredibly strange combination of broke and busy.

I recently finished my first year up here at UW and boy, was it much more difficult than I imagined. Luckily, I ended with about a 3.0, but I still need to take summer courses to raise my GPA and stay on track for getting the credits I need to get into my major (Architecture/Construction Management).

In reflection, I know that I need to put aside more focused time for studying rather than just cramming, as well as meeting more people to study in a group setting--oh, and attending every class and lecture will definitely be a helpful guideline in these coming terms. 

I lived in the dorm, which was an awesome experience when it comes to being close to classes, and getting to know complete strangers. I had a really sweet roommate--Stefhany-- who I

This is Stefhany, the day she was
moving out of the dorm.
Goodbye Terry 707!

already miss being around. I am really grateful for the small circle of friends I developed in the dorming system, as well as band.

Husky Marching Band was a great opportunity for me to make friendships that are lasting, and I am very glad that I made the decision to join the UW Husky Drumline my first year. We had auditions for next year already, and I'm on cymbals again. No disappointment here, because that means I can focus on my studies this summer and not have to worry about learning a bunch of new music on snare. (Doesn't mean I'm not going to try for it again next time around, though!) 

The new drums!

I am extremely excited for this next season with the marching band, because we are getting new everything! Dead serious. We just unpacked and assembled the new drums that we got from Pearl a week ago, and we will also be getting new uniforms this year to go handily with the newly renovated Husky Stadium! I couldn't be more jazzed for this coming year.

New Uniform Design.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to show y'all this,
but consider it my treat since you viewed my blog. ;)

Speaking of new, I just moved into an apartment that I will be temporarily living in this summer, up on Queen Anne. It's extremely nice, and I am very thankful to the relative that is letting me stay there for these few months. 

Living completely alone is very different. Since I'm not in the dorm, I don't have a roommate, and least conveniently, I don't have a dining account. This means that I have to cook for myself, and do so as cheaply as possible. Additionally, I'm trying to eat much healthier after discovering that the freshman 15 really wasn't a myth. (Sidenote: I didn't gain 15 lbs, but enough to where I did notice!)

So far I have discovered this is pretty easy because of a mythical place Seattleites seem to covet: Trader Joe's. By jove, it's like Disneyland for the frugal, hungry, and healthy! I basically stocked my fridge and pantry with the essentials for the next week or so for only forty bucks, which I'd say is a great price point because everything I bought was fresh and organic. 

Today, I also purchased some fresh raspberries and pears from the Pike Place Market, which was a little more expensive, but I was craving something fresh and special for a fruit bowl.

The first meal I made in the Queen Anne apt.
Fried chicken and steamed sugar snap peas,
paired with a nice cup of orange juice. 

Tonight's dinner was a 5-layer fruit bowl, consisting of
cantaloupe, white peaches, grapes, golden pears, as well
as fresh raspberries. It was super good and filling!

I definitely have a long way to go to being a pro chef, but I'm very proud of my recent discoveries while living up here in Seattle. With this new-found independence and domesticity, I realize that I am really becoming an adult.