ATVing

Who: My family
What: Driving an ATV solo
Where: Iberostar, Riviera Maya, Mexico
When: January 3, 2012
From: 101 List #1

Each year we've gone to Mexico, one tradition has always stuck - ATVing as a family. This is the first year that Bethany and I were of age to drive our own, and we took advantage of it! Now, I wish I could say I was a natural, but I was far from it. As we were leaving the resort, I couldn't get the turning quite right and ended up driving straight into a bush. The tour guide them proceeded to make fun of me, and then kindly helped me get out of the foliage.

After that it was smoother sailing. I took my time, let my dad and my sister completely out-drive me, with my mom coming up from behind (at least I was faster than her, right?). Finally, by the second-half of the trip, I was pro! I could keep up, go over large bumps without feeling like I was going to fly off, and didn't run in to anymore greenery! SUCCESS!

Before starting off on our adventure - Bethany and I went all out with our outfits ;)

 With my beautiful sister in the Jungle!

 My parents riding back together - they're rather adorable

 We take photos while stopping for a quick water break...

This photo completely represents the 4 of us on this trip - Dad: photographer, Bethany: totally with it, me: laughing at my mom, Mom: just having fun!

Banana Cupcakes

Who: Myself (for Chi Omega)
What: Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Where: My Apartment (and then the Chi-O House)
When: February 28, 2012
From: 101 List #1

For Chi Omega's Winter Quarter philanthropy, Chi-O Cookies, each sister makes yummy desserts. Now, I am the first person to admit that I am no cook! Honestly, I can barely make anything...however it's on my goals to learn! My new favourite website is Betty Crocker's website! Not only do they have hundreds of recipes, but they have recipes that involve mixes! This particular cupcake recipe involved the Yellow Cake mix, which saved me! All I had to do was add the boxed ingredients and mashed up bananas. And I baked them perfectly - not that there was a lot to it, but nonetheless, I was proud and they were delicious! The icing on the other hand...complete disaster! I followed the recipe to a T, however, when they say "sugar" in a frosting recipe, they should really clarify that they mean confectioner's sugar...

Turns out my mom did the exact same thing when she made frosting for the first time! We had some giggles once I learned she did it, too! The icing still tasted yummy, but it was definitely a little textured. I now know that when making frosting, it is always implied that Confectioners Sugar is the kind of sugar to use!

To find the recipes, go to: Cupcake Recipe and Frosting Recipe

You Know You've Dated a Gamer when...

My new obsession is officially The Big Bang Theory. It takes a lot for me to laugh out loud, and this show manages to always make that happen! Now, I definitely clarify myself as a nerd - I mean I'm a mechanical engineer, what else would I be? So naturally, I would choose to date a fellow nerd (he's studying engineering as well). Most nerds who are my age play some form of video game. Brian played many, and I can successfully say I've tried some myself - Call of Duty, Gears of War, Fable - and I can successfully say I suck at them. Nonetheless, I've learned a lot of lingo!

On the episode I watched today, Penny started playing an online game. She mentioned Leveling Up, Howard mentioned staying Frosty, and they all talked about game-rage. I happen to know what all of these mean...while my sister and mom stared at them blankly. You know you've dated a gamer when...

Recovering with Memories

While recovering from today on the couch with a heating pad, I started looking back at things from my freshmen year at Davis. One thing I came across was something we wrote to the future roommates of Marie and Clara's dorm room. I decided I would share our wisdom with all of you, so enjoy:

What we learned our freshmen year of college:

1. Swipe late night cookies during finals week -- you're going to need the energy

2. Play board/card games - it's a good way to bond

3. If you're taking chemistry, watch Enderele videos on You Tube: EnderlePhD -- they will save you!

4. Have spontaneous dance parties with your friends; they're a nice study break

5. Take as few units as possible Spring Quarter - the Rec Pool will be open and you'll have NO motivation

6. Alcohol Violations are NO JOKE! Don't be stupid, drink off campus.

7. Make friends with your neighbours. If you don't, bathroom run-ins will be awkward.

8. Don't put a cow in the first floor stairwell

9. Do not talk on the phone while biking. You will crash eventually.

10. Don't spend money on tissues. Toilet paper from the bathroom will do

11. Take quiet hours seriously. Noise violations aren't fun (being on a first name basis with the conduct coordinator is a bad sign)

12. This year will go by extremely fast, so enjoy it! GO AGS!

13. Davis sweats are worth the $35!

14. Your friends will become your family <3

Procedure #2

As I've mentioned (very briefly), I have two rare conditions that seem to have taken over my life for the past 6 years. My largest complaint has always been nausea (imagine having the flu 24/7), and yet it's always the biggest question mark for my doctors. This past January, I had an appointment with a new specialist (Dr. S) that went really well! In March 2011, I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis, which is paralysis of the stomach - basically I can't break down my own food, making me extremely nauseas. When I was sent to this new doctor, it was a match made in heaven as she's a neuro-gastroenterologist (Gastroparesis is a nerve/stomach condition), so I figured she'd be extremely helpful!

Over the years, I've clicked most with doctors who are willing to listen to my input and who aren't afraid to order tests and bloodwork, even if they've been done in the past - Dr. S. is one of these doctors. Last Thursday, I had a test done to verify my Gastroparesis and to see if anything had changed (I had this same test a little over a year ago). Along with this, Dr. S also ordered a more specific stomach procedure, which I have tomorrow (technically today since it's 1 AM..,ha). To be honest, I don't know much about it. All I know is that it's a 7 hour procedure that I'm put under for while they prod around my stomach to find what the main cause of my illness is. I'm so glad that she's ordered these 2 tests...it's a step in the right direction to figuring out the final diagnosis of what is wrong with me.

These past few years, and especially these last 2 in college, have been so difficult. Whenever I have new tests scheduled, I always get this combined feeling of hope and dread; Hope that they'll finally find something, and dread that they won't. Over the past year, I've come to terms with being ill and that it's just an obstacle that God is putting me through for a reason I have yet to learn. God constantly tests me through these health hurdles, and I'm hoping beyond hope that tomorrow is a positive in his plan for me. I'm at the point where I don't even care what they find - if it's scary, it's just something else to learn from. I know that I can go through anything thanks to my faith in the Lord, my incredible family, and the love and support of my friends.

Here's to hoping they find something tomorrow!

Now, however, it is officially time to sleep - I have to be up in 4 hours to get to San Francisco on time! (I know...very early test!)

Elevator Dancing

Who: Ella, Clara, Emma, Marie, and I
What: Dance in an Elevator
Where: Rambles Apartments, Davis
When: February 25, 2012
From: 101 List #1

This was by far one of the most spontaneous things we've ever done. Marie and Clara were going crazy...this happens on Saturday nights after studying for hours. The week leading up to this random night I barely left my bed I was so sick. When you've been living in your room, cabin fever happens quickly! The three of us were sitting on the couch looking at my list, trying to see if we could do something that would get me out of the house, when we came across the "dance in an elevator" goal, which prompted Marie to suggest we go do that! Then we went looking to see what else we could accomplish, and decided on buying a lottery ticket. We also decided that we should dress up semi-club-like. We then informed Ella and Emma of our plan and they thought we were crazy...but of course decided to join in. Needless to say, we had a fun night! We not only got to wear cute dresses, model random sunglasses, and dance, but we did all of these things in an apartment building we'd never been to before. See, completely random night ;)

Such a fun night! :D

Death Star Hide-and-Seek

Who: Clara, Marie, Emma, Ella, Matt, Charlie, and Tyler.
What: Play Hide-and-Seek at the Death Star
Where: UC Davis
When: December 9, 2011
From: 101 List #1

Last year during the quarter I took a leave of absence (due to health reasons), my friends played hide-and-seek at the Death Star on campus. When they told me all the stories about it, including going so crazy they began making bird calls to each other, I was so confused. Marie and I had missed out on this adventure, so at the end of Fall quarter when we finally had a night to ourselves, we made plans to play! I had no idea what I was in for!

The Social Sciences and Humanities building at UCD is insane. It's 5 floors and a complete maze. I had a review session in there once and it took me 20 minutes to find the classroom...in fact, today I got lost in there on the way to my car!

We arrived at the Death Star at 11:30 at night completely bundled up and ready to dominate!

Hiding Teams: Clara, Marie, and I; Charlie and Tyler
Seeker Team: Ella, Emma, and Matt

WE COMPLETELY DOMINATED! Once Charlie and Tyler were found, all 5 of them searched for us for an hour. We decided to hide on the fourth floor in a corner just by the stairs. Now I was fairly sick at this point, so the seekers assumed I wouldn't climb the stairs that high...how wrong they were! It was freezing, and after about 45 minutes of hiding, we were ready to be found. We started yelling random things - including bird calls - but nothing. Finally we went down to the second floor and started singing. We were all calling to each other, and after 30 more minutes, they found us! It was a crazy game of hide-and-seek - Marie and I finally understand why they went crazy!