Easter

I wanted to post this yesterday but God had other plans. And I certainly don't mind.
Last night, I was writing this but then was called into the living room for a family meeting. We talked about what would happen to us because on Saturday, my great-grandmother, whom we lived with and my mom was taking care of her, passed away. My mom told us the story of how it all happened and it was a very emotional night. Not only because we were sad that she's gone, but also, we were all afraid that we'd have to move out of the house we've lived so comfortably in for 3 years.

Later on in the night, my sister told us some struggles with the family that she's had. The feeling of not being loved and that we're a very sarcastic, joking family and sometimes it hurts or goes too far. I definitely agree with her. My father immediately started to pray for her. Then we all took turns speaking life into her and talking about her gifts and asking God to increase them. There was not a dry eye in the room.

My dad was talking about how Easter is a time of resurrection and new beginnings. And he said that this season will be a new and probably very difficult time for our family, but we have God on our side and we'll pull together and be stronger than ever. I really believe that.
There's a lot more I can say about the evening, but I'll just end saying it was amazing, and even though it hurt to hear all the things my sister had said, I'm glad she did. 

 Happy Easter everyone

Road trip : day 1

We left pretty early in the morning for our first stop in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

On our way we passed through New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and finally Pennsylvania. It was a long drive, but I enjoyed it for the most part. A lot of the states started to look the same because it was all just dry landscape. But I enjoy being in the car, listening to music, talking to Rachel, writing in my journal and my personal favorite... taking photos with Rachie's Canon Rebel XSi :)

stopped in New York for lunch

When we arrived in Scranton we drove straight to our hotel and stayed there all night. We weren't too big on going out at night in a strange town.

We ate pizza, cookies and milk. Watched The Office (in Scranton, how perfect!) did face masks, and took pictures. It was a fun evening!

first day in Maine

I woke up to snow outside my window.

I went downstairs, had breakfast. Then we were on our way to shop for the trip. 

freezing cold morning, what I wore for grocery shopping, trying on Rachie's clothes:)

We went to the grocery store and bought a lot of healthy or organic foods. My sister has become somewhat of a hippy, I love it! It encourages me to be healthier. 

She showed me around her town a little bit. It's pretty stinkin' adorable. She also showed me the midwifery college she attended.

When we came home, we had to pack up all of Rachel's belonging's into her tiny car. It was quite a feat. 

 

The day went by quickly (probably because I woke up at 12 eastern time:)

First time flying...for real this time

I woke up at 7, and we left 2 hours early just in case.

My loving grandma packed me up with a ton of snacks for the plane ride.

We said goodbye, packed up then we were on our way towards LAX, for attempt number 2 of my first flight.

We waited for what seemed like forever in the airport. I was so shaky and nervous. I had to get up and walk around. We FINALLY started boarding, I handed them my boarding pass and then I got on the plane. I put my carry-on in the overhead compartment and sat in my seat. I sat in between two old guys...lovely.

 It took awhile to actually take-off, but when we did, it was gorgeous! It's so cheesy, but i'll say it anyway-- it was beautiful flying over the clouds. I've never been so high up before. I started to tear up when I looked at the beauty that God has made. Yet another reason to believe that God is real & created the world. There's no way that that much beauty just came out of nowhere. I enjoyed the plane very much. It made my stomach feel all weird when we took off and when we landed.

I watched Voyage of the Dawn Treader while I was on the plane. I also listened to music, did a crossword puzzle and read my book.

When we landed in Chicago for my connecting flight I called my mum and told her I made it! I was very happy, but then I found out that I had a 3 hour flight delay...poo.

I waited around in Chicago. (but stayed inside the airport of course) I just shopped around, talked to my sisters on the phone awhile, ate some food. I payed 8 dollars for a nasty cheese and turkey sandwich at Starbucks. It's amazing how much food costs these days...especially when it doesn't even taste that good.

Because I was so paranoid, I kept checking the screens to make sure I was in the right place. I was waiting in terminal A, at my correct gate. Then I looked at the screens and it switched to gate B22. Sheesh, oh petes. I ran to B22 to make sure that's where I was supposed to be. Turns out it was, so I stayed there for about an hour until the plane began to board.

Boarding took a long time. In total, I believe it was a 3 1/2 hour layover.

I was so glad to finally get on the plane. It meant that all I had to do was sit there, then I would be in Maine. No more terminals to run around in, or boarding passes or making sure if I was at the right gate. I could finally relax...

  We landed in Portland, Maine in about two hours. The ride went very quickly! 

My sister picked me up and we went to her house, about an hour drive. It was 1 am eastern time, so she was tired... and even though it was only 10:00 for me, I was pretty exhausted myself. Right when we got home, we plopped into bed and went to sleep.
 

First time flying

In case you didn't read one of my more recent posts, I'm flying to Maine so my sister (who goes to college there) and I can take a road trip back home to California.

And this is the story of how it all started...

Mother and I left for LAX at about 8:30am. We planned a bit of extra time in case things went wrong...too bad everything went wrong. 

We got caught in traffic in Tehachapi and in LA, we arrived at the airport and there was the longest line at security that my mom said she's ever seen. Everyone in line was freaking out about missing their flights.

The only cool thing was that Joshua Jackson and Diane Kruger were in line behind me. When I saw them I didn't know their names but I recognized them and tried my best not to stare.

some photos I took in tehachapi

After security my mom couldn't go any further with me. I was on my own. I asked a nice man  where I should go and he pointed me in the right direction. I ran as fast as I could, holding my pea coat, suitcase and carry-on. As I was running through the airport so many things were going through my head. "I'm going to miss my flight, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap", "I feel so cliche running in an airport, it feels like a movie", "I really wish I was in better shape."

When I finally got there, I sat down and thought I was okay. Then I realized that nobody was at the gate. They had left without me.

I cried, prayed in tongues then called my mom. Thank the Lord she hadn't left the airport yet. She talked to security and they sent someone to come get me. I saw my mom waiting for me and started to cry again. We went outside and I cried some more. Then we got in the car and we both cried.

I was worried that I had let my sister down... my first flight and I didn't even make it on the plane. I was upset at myself. I was also worried that I would have to buy another plane ticket after paying 200 dollars of my own money to buy the first one.

It was a pretty depressing first experience.

After I was finished crying, my mom and I went to IKEA and Urban Outfitters. But before that, we went to a little bakery/coffee shop. My mom knows how to make me feel better!

We had chocolate cake, a lemon bar, a sugar cookie and two cups of pippin' hot earl grey tea.

My mum's parents live in LA so we stayed with them for the night. Oh, did I forget to mention that the airline gave me a free flight for the next morning? Yeah, God is good. I have no idea why all this junk happened to me, but I have to trust that God's plan is better than my own. It was hard to see God moving while I was watching my plane take off and crying at my gate, but I never stopped believing that He is faithful.

I enjoyed hanging out with my grandparents. They took my mom and me out to Chinese food, then we ate peppermint ice cream and watched Dancing With the Stars. Then I got into bed. Ma gave me a back scratch, she prayed for me then we went asleep.

Luuuuunch

I don't usually post photos of my food, but this meal was just too delicious. 

I ate in out on the patio, it was lovely.

- chicken & cheese quesadilla  

- homemade avacado ranch dip

- sun tea 

Birthday wishlist :

My birthday is coming up on the 17th and I'm turning 17. It's my golden birthday.
&&&&&&& if I pass my driving test at the end of the month, I will finally have my license!!

Life is good. 

My favorite song at the moment:

Lisztomania- Phoenix