Friends make the world go round...

And here I thought my birthday blogging was over.

I've found out, that against my better judgment, my friends are GREAT liars. I don't really know how I feel about this little fact.
Today, (which if we wanna get technical, since it's past midnight, was yesterday) I was told by one of my best friends that the "day out" I was to have with her was going to be cut short because of a skype date that was occurring in the middle of our afternoon. Of course, me being me, was like, it's no big deal! I was happy with the time we had spent together and that was that.
Besides, I had plans with another friend to go paint at my church at 5:30, so it was no big deal. My friend gets to my house to pick me up for painting, which I had prepared for in advance by wearing my paint-stained jeans, no makeup, hair not done, totally looking like I had been lazy all day long, and we head out toward the church.
Except, oh wait, there's a detour! The Kim's house. Well, I'll take any excuse to go over there (That's what was going through my mind)! We needed to pick up paint left in their garage, they were expecting us to come over. So heading up their walk-way, knocking on the door, Ryan (my painting friend) opens the door and to my GREAT surprise, there is a ton of people yelling "SURPRISE!", "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" making noises with noise makers, all smiling, with a video camera going - I instantly covered my face because I didn't know what else to do!
I was not expecting this at all! I'm standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking at all the faces smiling at me and for one split second, I almost (almost, mind you) cried. Reason being, that no one had EVER done anything like that for me before and the love from everyone was emitting right to me, it was quite overwhelming. Luckily for everyone, I kept my composure and made my way upstairs to receive hugs and more smiles.
Of course, Kelsey (my "I have a skype date" friend) was there, and of course, there had been no skype date.

The next thing I learn is that this is a combined, 3 in 1 surprise party for my birthday buddies, Rachel and Miles whose birthday's were 2 days before mine. At this news, I was ecstatic! It's not everyday you get completely surprised and then you get to turn around and completely surprise someone else! Now I would get the chance to yell "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" and see their faces as they walked through the doors completely confused, shocked and totally happy.
The night couldn't have been better.
It will be a birthday surprise I won't soon forget.
I can't help but feel blessed by all my friends who put all of it together.
It's still hard not to smile as I write all of this.

So I guess the moral of this story is, when your friend asks you to paint for something at the church, don't be surprised if you detour to one of the best nights of your life.

Signed,
gypsy girl

What a day =)

So, let me break this down for you. My countdown is officially over, which like I said before, means now I have to get extra creative in what I write in this random blog of mine.

How was my 21st birthday you ask? Great question, I'll tell you.
I woke up at 6:30am to get ready to go babysit (which is always fun).
Got home around 1:30 only to turn around and get stuff to make home-made
pizza's.
After errands, my brother (Brandon) and his girlfriend (Sarah) came up to visit
and celebrate with me. It was delightful. We found out that my dearest brother
likes to overdo on flour. (Note to everyone out there, keep Brandon away from the
flour.)
After watching Mom spread her pizza sauce all the way to the edges instead of leaving
space on the outside, and of course, Dad tossing his pizza dough in the air, only to have
it fall on the ground (10 second rule!), I realized that tonight was going to be entertaining.
Of course, I didn't realize HOW entertaining.

After pizza and presents, there was a knock on the door. Who could it be? Only my 2 best
friends from Seattle, AnMie and Molly! The two girls who had me COMPLETELY convinced
that they couldn't make it down to see me on my birthday. Of course, me, being the go with
the flow girl that I am, didn't mind and was TOTALLY shocked to see their faces standing
in my doorway! Point Mom for keeping it a total secret! And of course, brownie points
to my two best friends who are evidently good liars... at least over text.

Overall, I had a wonderful birthday.
Multiple memorable and endearing facebook (and email) birthday wishes.
Silly and sweet text messages that brightened my day.
A free VENTE chai tea latte (soy, no water, in case you were wondering).
Birthday hugs.
Family.
Friends.
Games.
Voice messages that made me smile.
Video's that made me laugh so hard I cried.

What more could a girl ask for, really?

So here's to my 6 day countdown!
And here's to my mom, who spent countless hours (yes hourS) in labor with me.
Hopefully the pain, suffering, screaming, hitting and everything else was all worth it.

Signed,
gypsy girl

Less than 1 day

If we wanna get technical, I'm pretty sure I was born at 6 something in the morning on November 16th of 1990. Anyway, less than one day away and my 6 day project will be over. Now I'll have to think of something else to write about that might actually be interesting.

(less than) 1 day and counting... Writing.

Since before I can even remember I've been writing. I used to write little fictional stories when I was a kid and read them, or give them, to my mom. And of course, she loved them. Not because they were any good (because I'm sure they weren't) but simply because I was so excited about them and couldn't wait for her feedback!
These days, I'd like to think my writing isn't quite as bad as it was back then. Hopefully I have improved. I love writing though. It's the one thing that I can always do, pretty much no matter where I am. If only you could tap into my mind for a day, you would be overwhelmed by all the stories I keep up there. It's like a story factory, I've held onto stories from years ago, filing them away in my memory, bringing them up on occasion to see if I still like them. It's like a mental rainbow, pretty to look at, fun to think about, amusing to the senses... Good stuff.
I've been blessed with an overactive imagination, one that used to frighten me at night because I was thoroughly convinced that my older brother was some kind of swamp animal that would sneak into my bedroom at night and do something horrid to me. Of course, that same imagination turned me into a mighty morphin power ranger that kicked his butt if he ever tried to come into my room.
Either way, it's aided in my entertaining stories.
I'm thankful for my passion to write. It's my way of communicating on any level needed.
I guess the pen IS mightier than the sword. At least, in my case.

Signed,
gypsy girl

3 and 2... man I'm bad at this.

It's funny how something as simple as writing a little info onto a blog everyday for 6 days straight, can end up being every other day.
Oh well. Life goes on.

So writing for yesterday.

Day 3 and counting... Family near and far.

I have family that lives all across the west coast and then of course the mass extended family that lives practically across the country. I remember taking a trip when I was about 6 years old, one summer vacation, living in a motor-home, going across the country. It was fun, and it comes to mind because it reminds me of all the family that I have. I have basically as many great aunts and uncles as there are states in the lovely USA.
Family is a fun thing, sometimes. Lets not lie. Every family has their issues, but mine is exceptional! Exceptionally weird that is. But I like them. And I like how big it is. Somehow, I think that if ever I wanted to take another cross country vacation, I'd have a place to stay no matter where I went, because my family is everywhere.
So ya, growing up with a massive family is fun, and I highly recommend it.

Day 2 and counting... Friends.

This is an easy, I look back on my life, for nearly 21 years, and can easily say that I've been so blessed by every friendship that I've ever had. I've learned so much from the people in my life over the years and I wouldn't trade a single one of them for anything.
Even just last night, a bunch of us went swing dancing in honor of my and some other amazing people's birthdays. And it was a blast! Friends bring such joy to a person's life and should never be taken for granted. Friends rejoice with you when something happy happens, they cry with you when tragedy strikes, they make you laugh, and if they're especially important to you, sometimes they'll even make ya cry. But most importantly, they're there for you. Through thick and thin. I've had a friend for almost 21 years now. She's been there for me no matter what, and I try to do the same for her. We've known each other since being in the womb, and God willing we'll be great friends til the grave.
I guess Toy Story has been right all these years. "You've got a friend in me."

Signed,
gypsy girl

Kids and things

So my countdown was interrupted by the fact that I was so tired yesterday, and unable to get to my computer until what seemed like the wee hours of the night, so I will be combining my countdown of now day 5 and 4 together.

Day 5 and counting... Kids.

I've probably been babysitting since I was able to walk. Or so it seems anyway. When I was younger though, in my early and late teen years, never would I thought that my seeming path of work would always turn to being a nanny. Come to find out, kids have become a huge part of my life and I don't mind one single bit. It's almost like pre-mommy classes. By the time I get married and have kids, if God so wants that for my life, I'll practically be over-qualified.
It's taught me patience and forced me to learn the responsibility of caring for another person's life. What an intense lesson to learn!
Looking back, I would've never picked this job for myself, which is why I'm so glad I'm not the one in charge of my path.
I guess God always knew that I'd fit the profile of the crazy, quirky nanny who wears rainbow socks.

Day 4 and counting... Church.

I think I've always been blessed by my environment. Growing up in a christian home and going to church every Sunday (the only excuse not to go was if I was deathly ill), has really helped shape who I am today. I think it's also given me an appreciation for the importance of church. Quite frankly, I don't know how some people can do without church. The excuse of the modern, christian, person today would be something like, "I don't have time." "I have my own 'church' at home." whatever. My point isn't to debate or tell those people that they're silly in their thinking (even though, they are), no, my point is to be able to truly appreciate the fact that my parents instilled such a desire in me to always be involved in a good, Bible believing church.
There, I have found fellowship, the means to learn how to truly serve God and others and to learn in general, about God and so much more.
Basically, I think my point is to say that my life would be different without my home churches. But I do have them. And for that, I am grateful.

Signed,
gypsy girl

6 days in counting...

For most people, their 21st birthday means the ultimate chance of freedom. A chance to assert their independence by drinking their night away so that the next morning they can't even remember what happened.
Well, I have decided that I will not be consuming excessive amounts of alcohol on my 21st birthday. Perhaps, none at all. Call me a rebel, call me a revolutionist, call me crazy, but instead of following the typical "norm" of today's society, I want to stand out amongst my peers and be the hard-headed, opinionated person that you've all grown to love... I hope.

In the next 6 days, I am going to write about how my life has changed from when I was younger. I will try to be insightful about my own life, in the past, almost 21 years of my existence and how God has directed my paths in such a different direction than I ever thought I would go.
Starting now.

Day 6.
Moving to Washington.

I'm from Oregon. 16 years of my life was spent in Oregon. I thought I was going to live there my whole life and I had no intention of moving. My friends, family, everything I'd ever known was in Oregon. But God had different plans. He had no intention of keeping me within my comfort zone, no, instead he wanted to test my limits of patience, contentment and trust. And believe me, they were tested.
I can look back now and honestly say that I am so happy I moved. I have no idea what my life would've held had I stayed in Oregon. Though, I still love the happy state I once lived in for the majority of my childhood, moving to Washington was like moving into another stage of adulthood. I've been pushed to new heights and learned so many new things since being here that I wouldn't trade for the world. The people, the places, the experiences, the situations and everything else that goes along with it, all have added to who I am and who I am becoming. But more importantly, who God wants me to be.
So thank you God. Thank you for moving me from Oregon to Washington. Thanks for realizing that I had the potential to love it here and learn so much.
I am glad I get to spend my 21st birthday in the ever raining state of Washington.

Signed,
the gypsy girl

Why hello

Welcome back Autumn, I have missed you! What a beautiful day, sunny and cold. Just the way I like it.
Days like these make me want to grab a blanket and some tea and get lost in a fictional (or non-fictional) land of many words, dancing across the pages, of a good book.

Psalm 73:28 ~
"But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."

Au Revoir

The beach

My first post of my new blog. I've decided that I want to record my life a little better, so this will be almost like a journal. A journal where you will learn about small pieces of my life.
For starters, my family went on a mini-vacation to the beach for nearly a week and it was beautiful! Surprisingly, the weather was nice. We had one or two stormy days out of the entire time we were there. Talk about a miracle for the Oregon Coast.
I do so enjoy walking on the beach, or in my case running away from the waves which were coming much too close to my nice, dry shoes.
Though most people equate "beach" with sandals or swim suits, only the most learned Oregonian knows that "beach" equals sweatshirt, jeans and tennis shoes. Sad, but true.

Here's to mini family vacations, the beach and dry shoes!