New Year...already?

I suppose it's time to start making my list of all of the great things I want to do for myself in the coming year. To be truthful, I don't think I've ever made a list. I've thought about things that I'd like to do and I've agreed with others as they expressed their new year desires but, I have never decided to myself that "Yes, Misha, this year you're going to change....blah". I've heard it's good to write things down...So, I'll try it...for the first time.
Recently, I mentioned to David that as a young girl I had a motto it was this: "Always make an impression wherever you go." And I've tried to keep to this for the eleven some odd years since I made it. Well folks, I'm going to renew my promise to myself this coming year in '08. I want that my character would be something to be remembered and that it would impact people in a positive way. This is a part of myself that I've always worked on but, I'm going to work on it even more. Another New Year promise of mine is to made a conserted effort to invite people over and be a good hostess. It's so easy to let your life control you instead of you controlling your life.
I'm getting nervous now because I'm sure I could sit here and write down a whole host of different areas in my life that I would like to improve but, I won't. I'll just stick to a few and when those are done I'll work on the rest. So, for my last New Year promise I would like to make our house into a Godly home...
The list of my short comings could fill a small book but, these are my priorities for now.

The longest Vacation EVER!

Ok, I'm in Pennsylvania now. Wheeeeew, have you ever been ready to come home from vacation? I am. We spent a week on the sandy beaches of the Bahamas, St. Thomas and San Marteen. What a wonderful time we had floating across the ocean on a massive boat being served incredible amounts of wonderful food and having our bedrooms cleaned for us twice a day. Each day started with a groan of exhaustion and a quick shower to wake us up. We spent hours on the beach playing in the sand. Cylas had his first naked beach debut. It was soooo cute. I have lots of video and great pictures to share.
I'll patch them all together and send a link so you all can enjoy a piece of my wonderful memories. The first day we got ourselves into the room and used to the rocking. I was little sea sick and didn't want to get out of bed. But, eventually I did and wasn't sick at all the rest of the time. The second night was a formal night and we got all dolled up to go eat...hah. The rest of the week was a blur and I just remember getting toasty on the beach and eating copious amounts of food. I don't know if I gained but a half pound because I made sure to play volleyball(on the boat) and walk a lot. While we were there David won a 90 min full body massage(lucky duck!) and while he was getting worked over I sat in the sauna for an hour...there were a couple of ladies in there relaxing and doing deep breathing. One lady relaxed so much she let a huge gas! Ooohhh lord...need a say more? I got out and took a shower(gag)

Quick Trip

Well, I had a sort of mini vacation over the weekend. It was really nice. My sister and I went to see a Christmas Spectacular and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I have a photo here to show you all. There was a lot that went on over the weekend that I wish I had the liberty to talk about but, I can't. So, I suppose I'll just share with you all the happy stuff! Be looking for another update because, this Friday starts our family trip to the Bahamas. I'll be making a video with tonz of photos and narraration.
Enjoy!

Books!

Ahhhh, I was just inspired by my future. What I mean is, I just realized that I'm going to be home a LOT next year because I'll be out of school!!! I can't wait! So, I've decided to re-read and read some of the great classics. I want to sit down on my couch and get lost in Jane Austen's Emma or Pride and Prejudice. Oliver Twist, Of Mice and Men goodness, I'm going to have so much fun this coming year. I think it's going to be a new year's resolution of mine to read and re-read as many old classics as possible. Maybe, I'll fit a little house cleaning in too....hahah. Just kidding. The house will be cleaned and then I'll waste away the day. But, if the opportunity arises and I get hired on at Opening Doors(the place where I'm currently interning) then hopefully some of my time will be spent interpreting for them. I've gotten a lot of great experience lately and am feeling more confident with my Russian. My idea is to work from home so I don't have to cart Cylas off to the sitter's. The pain that strikes my heart when he leaves is becoming more unbearable. I feel like a horrible person. And in some ways I am...
But, if I can convince my superiors that I'm just as good at home working for them as I am in the office then...my goodness, I might have the perfect set up. Stay home with baby and use my degree too!!
Pllleeeeease God, can you grant me this little request....(with a cherry on top!)

Friends, Fun and Food!

Well, Sunday evening I spent out on the town with some of my really good friends. They are two of the people that I was lucky to meet at Davis and am so sad that I won't be with them every week. The dark haired girl is Zhanna and the lighter haired is Zhenya ("zh" is pronounced like the "dg" in the word -budge-). We've been planning to have a get together ever since Zhenya moved as a result of her new job. They are such sweethearts! I really had a great time. We went to a nice restaurant called "Lucca"and boy was it ever good. I now have another vice added to my list. Their marinated steak salad was to die for and I thoroughly enjoyed Zhanna's Saltim...something-er-uther chicken ma-doodle. Good Lord, what an awfully good place to eat. Afterwards, we made our way across town and had desert at my all time favorite Tower Cafe. Zhanna and I shared the Neapolitan and Zhenya had the chocolate mousse. mmmmm....later we mosied on home and talked. It felt great to be with people I really care about. I wish I could do it more often...

Betrayal

I suppose one can never be too surprised when betrayal rears its infamous head but, it seems that every time it does I'm never prepared! Why should I have to deal with this type of injustice? Someone should come up with a salve that soothes the wounds of a betrayed soul. The only feelings I have tumbling through me are hurt and bewilderment. I'm amazed that I'm not bitter! But, I worked through that a while ago and THANK GOD for it. There is no other feeling greater than that of a soul freed from the sticky hold of bitterness.
Is there a good way to work through this and still smile? Hmmm, I think I need to find a verse in the bible appropriate for this particular situation. I have determined to smile, and be polite and forgive. I will NEVER reciprocate the injustice of betrayal to this person. Life will move forward and we with it and I'm not sure I'll ever approach this person...or maybe I will after some time has passed and I'm a little more mature. God...please help. Thanks

Academic Responsibility

Tomorrow I start school. It's here and I'm weeping inside for a couple of reasons. First, I've completely enjoyed the two days a week that I spend uninterrupted with my little boy and second, I'm so not looking forward to homework. I've picked a couple of classes that seem interesting but, I'm merely doing them for the units and not for anything else!! I think it's an injustice the university imposing this upon me...fooey! I am looking forward to volleyball though. I need to keep in shape. I bike to my internship three times a week but, that is no where near what I was doing last quarter. *shudders* I'm turning into a fat blob. AHK!
Ok, well, those are my thoughts. They aren't much because I haven't much to say....

The weekend

I can't remember the last time I really let my hair down and just had a fun time with my old friends. Well, as of this morning I can definitely remember. This past weekend I was in Orange, County for my good friend's wedding. It was a great wedding with awesome decorations and I was the little "tinkerbell" at the door greeting the guests and handing out programs. I drove down there with a long time close friend of mine, Sarah. We had a great time listening to a Louis L'amour....I think she fell in love with the main character...shhhhhh. We arrived late Friday evening and stopped by the church to see the decorations being put up and say hello to everyone. I stayed at Chad and Sarah Simmons' house and had a great time getting to know their parents. They were so sweet to me. I knew that their mom was a real winner after she let me talk her ear off until 12:30 in the morning!!! What a sweetheart. Well, on the day of the wedding I didn't want to get up I was so exhausted from the drive and lack of sleep but, I drug myself out of bed and it was a wonderful day! After the wedding that night, we all went out and drove around the town...stopped by the beach, which we couldn't see because it was late, and then we went to Red Robin. Everyone was starved because we hadn't eaten since earlier in the afternoon. I didn't...I tried to stay true to my mantra "I don't eat after six". Hahahah....
I had a wonderful time acting young and reckless....and now I'm back to my wifely and motherly duties.

School...and stuff

Today I made the last payment I'll ever have to make to UC Davis for my education. It was a bitter-sweet moment as I clicked the "make payment now" button. The last two years of my life have been spent on the seats and streets of the Davis campus. I've made some very special friends during that time. I'll never forget them and some even watch Cylas for me.
This last quarter I'm taking "Topics in Judaism" and "Modern Islam". HAH...how politically appropriate. I'm also taking a volleyball class with my good friend Zhanna. As it stands, I'm eagerly awaiting the day that I can say I'm OFFICIALLY graduated and I'm free as a ....caged bird. Well, I do have a large cage with lots of toys...but, ...well, another day, another time. I don't want to work. I want to stay with my little Cylas and raise him. But, I know that in order to make this boat float I'm going to have to stick my oar in the great big ocean...David can't do it all by himself all of the time. I do have plans to go back to school and get my master's in Russian but, I think that will be when Cylas is about five and ready to start kindergarten. And then there is David...he needs the chance to go to school too. Well, oook, I'm done talking now.

Woman-li-ness

Is that a word?! I can tell you that if it isn't it sure needs to be. I think that word means: graciousness, beauty, humility and inspiration. I long to be all of those! Wow, I can't tell you how my heart has been burdened with these thoughts. I don't want to lose who I am but I sure would like to soften my hard edges. I think that being a woman is essential especially when you have children and a family. I've been praying for the wisdom and strength it takes to be a virtuous woman. Oh Lord, I know that I have forever and a day to go. Why am I obsessing? I don't know...
I think my last post had something to do with this. Well, I guess it just goes to show how long this has been ailing me. As it stands, I am a young, married mother of 26 with a degree in Russian from UC Davis looking to buy a house....
Do I sound lost or what....?

Mommyhood

He's fifteen months old now. My mind reels as I think of the many months that have whipped by leaving me at today with the cutest 15 month old walking the planet! I'm constantly learning something new and trying to perfect my art of mommi-ness. I don't want to be an abusive mother but neither do I wish to be a push-over. I'm working at gaining respect from my little boy. I speak kindly, gently but firmly and sometimes I even have to swat his bottom. He seems to be a bit stubborn*groans*. His curiosity is voracious and he's constantly finding something new to entertain himself with. One of his favorite activities is reading! Sometimes the house falls too quiet and I'll find myself tiptoeing across the house trying to find the culprit of the quiet mischief. Hah! I can't tell you how many times I've found him squatting contentedly reading his books. The other night I sat down and was reading "The Wizard of Oz" (the book of his choice). I cut the story short and picked up another book. I had read only two sentences before he slid off my lap and picked up "The Wizard of Oz" and handed it to me. It was so cute! So, I continued reading the book he had chosen. I'm very curious as to what our next child will be like. I can't imagine having another child any less happy, curious or cute as Cylas!

Discovery!?

I am 26 years old and I feel like I've just discovered myself!! I was standing in my mother's dining area after helping re-arranging some of her furniture. As I stood there this overwhelming feeling of self-assurance and intelligence overtook me! Yeah, sounds stupid but, it's the first time in my life that I've felt a feeling of confidence and worth around my mother. Growing up, there was never a time that my mom's advice went unsolicited. I couldn't think for myself. But, as I helped her to re-arrange her furniture and she accepted my idea as a good one I "realized" myself. I have secretly been developing into a competent adult. WOW, what a first....

A New Day

Ok, I'm at my internship starting my day. I have a nectarine and some water and four hours of grunt work ahead of me. Saturday I assisted on a 8 hour wedding and I was so tired. I'm surrounded by grunt work! But, there are many things to be learned. I'm hoping to take these oppurtunites and use them to gain knowledge and not a bad attitude! Hah, ... no, I'm so grateful for the chance to work here at Opening Doors and also with Chris Kight and his team. I'm creating a game plan for when I finish here. There are other oppurtunities out there for me and I want to get paid!!!

Until next time...

Thoughts

Last night I had a little hearto heart with my dear old husband (AHK! that makes me sound oooolld). I asked him, "How do you know I love you?" He turned to me and said that he couldn't possibly tell me because it would ruin a secret...I laughed. And then, I took ten minutes to tell him all the reasons why I loved him and how I could never imagine my life with another. I want to be his all time FAV! Besides "who else would want you!?" I joked.

A New Blogger

Ok, this is my second time blogging EVER! Many people would kill to know what makes me tick and why I am the way I am. Buuuut, it's ok don't worry. I won't let you know what makes me tick...
I don't know how diligent I will be at updating my blog but, I will definitely try. I have a lot going on with my little life that I would love to share. Now, whether or not it will be interesting to you all is a whole other story. But, what gives!? I'll just write it and you can read it...

I'm going to post this now

Ciao