remember that spencer paper it took me about 8 months to turn in?

Hi friends!!

Yes, I do still check this thing :)

I have become quite the blogger, actually. I even have one of my own. That I write in not-quite-regularly...but I'm working on it. (http://maggiewalsh.blogspot.com)

Thanks, Kace, for initiating another round of updates! I CANNOT WAIT to see you all in about a month, and with such a wonderful reason to celebrate!

As for the update on my life. Life in SB is nothing to complain about. The summer has been beautiful, and I have made the most of a flexible and low stress work schedule at Mullen and Henzell, spending a lot of time at the beach, playing a surprising amount of volleyball, enjoying my great roommates and friends, and putting off all of my summer school work until this week. So, right now, it's crunch time. I have about 8 papers to complete before September 18, and 3 essay exams. Flashbacks to Spencer papers and my spiritual gift of procrastination are a daily occurance, and any prayers and encouragement to get my ass in gear would be appreciated :) although I prefer distractions of any kind, blogging being a new and delightful form of distraction these days!

I am, however, getting things done. The books I am reading for my classes this summer quarter are SO GOOD; I'm taking Christian Ethics, Family Resource Management, and Narrative Therapy. Classes start up again down in Pasadena October 1st, but I am actually kind of looking forward to being back on that schedule. As crazy as the idea of commuting two hours each way to school twice a week sounds, I enjoy the regularity and having two full days each week set aside for school. This year I will be writing my Masters Thesis, which will be starting in December, so I am looking forward to getting ideas together and starting that process. (remind me later, when I am elbow deep in research and pages to write, that I was at one time excited about this process)

Other than school stuff, not much is going on around here. No romance to report, really, unfortuantely.

I kind of can't believe that I've been in Santa Barbara all this time! My parents came out this past weekend to visit, they haven't been here since graduation! I was reminded that it kind of has been forever that I've been in SB, that it actually has become home. Which may seem obvious, but I wasn't really aware until recently that I LIVE here. I'm definitely feeling the itch to move and do something crazy and different and exciting, but I think God is teaching me something about staying put and being patient for the time being.

Seriously, can't wait to see you all soon! (we'll miss you shan!!!!! oh, and email me back, woman.)

VIVA LONDON

Ladies! Hello!!! Kacey, so nice to hear an update. Yes, I still check this thing, and in true fashion I forgot how to post something, so its taken me literally two months to figure out where the "sign in" button is... Wow, beat that. Anyways, I am very excited for your upcoming month Kace, even though it sounds very full. You and Alan are in my prayers, most def. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you at the wedding, and to say hello to my other girls! What unfortunate timing my semester came in...
BUT I am here in London- just arrived a few days ago! I spent the better part of the month in Australia with my dad, bonding and traveling up the coast to the Great Barrier Reef, and spending time getting to know Julia better too. I was so blessed by my time there. Julia set me up with her cousins that live in the city of London and I am living with them for the semester. They are in their 40's, married without children, and have a whole small 3rd story with bed/bath that goes unused... so, I'm-a-gonna-use it!! Seriously, the Lord's provision for me to be here is astonishing. I found my school the other day right next to a little park in the center of town and across from the British Museum, with a small sign for Sotheby's Institute of Art. Oh, how I have waited for this to actually be real, and it is. The town that I am living in is a quaint more residential area with traditional Victorian houses and a strip of cute cafes and parks around the corner. I think I am in heaven. Ask me again when it rains for 7 days straight, but for now I am overwhelmed as God's revealing His path for me. So... who's comin to visit???
Ok, long entry, sorry (but typical haha). I love and miss you all, think about you often. Please update us on your lives. Love, love!- The Shan Shan

I'M DONE!!! (hopefully)

Hi friends,

It is finally (almost) official, I have graduated Hygiene School!! I could not be more excited or pleased. Now, I am on my way to Weddingsville, and all of you are invited. Hopefully you have all received your invitations by now. The reason I am not 100% done with school is I just took my final board in order to get my license on Friday, assuming I passed, then I am done.

Last weekend was hectic. Alan's grandfather, whom he was very close to, passed away on Friday night. Even though it was expected, it didn't make it any easier and indeed it felt sudden. We have been overwhelmed with all of the things that need to be done. In addition to that, Alan and I are heading to New York City to watch the Yankees play the Red Sox on Thursday. It will be my first time there and I am pretty excited. 

I don't know if any of you read this anymore, but I sure hope you do and I sure hope you respond with recent updates in your life.

Love you and miss you and HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!!!

heyyyy

bored at work. what else is new? just wanted to say hi and that i'm thinking of all of you, missing 915 la paz. wouldn't it be lovely to lie on the deck with some iced tea right now? sigh...
hope you are all well.
love. becca

just so you dont feel bad about yourself kace, i will post something too :) i love the pics of brett and andrea! and i am getting even more excited for your wedding too!!! updates for me: jesse and I just spent a week in yosemite with a group of friends from high school and then road tripped over to Berkeley to watch my sister graduate from college (crazy)! we had an amazing time in yosemite. it was beautiful and the waterfalls were at full force with all of the snow melt. we did a lot of hiking and swam in the 41 degree river. jesse and i drove along the coast from san francisco all the way back to sc and were able to stop and stay with maggie in sb which was totally awesome :) thanks again mags for having us. great trip all in all and we are planning another yosemite trip for next year and would love for all of you to come join if you can. hope you guys are all doing well! love you, E

3 In A Row...

Am I blog obsessed...quite possibly. But this is ever so important and so I am not going to be self conscious about now having posted 3 times in a row. Here is a rather precious picture of my brother and his wife (what?!). The photographers did a great job. Here is a link to their blog www.gabrielryan.blogspot.com that has more pictures on it and there is a slideshow on the way. Talk to you soon.

Introducing Brett & Andrea Zundel

I feel like this title should be followed by a picture, and I am sorry to report that I don't have any pictures right now to show you girls. But I wanted you all to share in the excitement of it all. It was Beau-Ti-Ful!! My goodness, those two worked their butts off (and mine a wee bit) but it was well worth it. I assure you I will post some pics when I get them. 

Love you all...