Cafe Victoria

I recently came across the Glee recording of “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked on YouTube. It got me thinking about all the things that have happen in the last year that has ‘defying gravity’ or another way of seeing it- took risk.
-the show “Glee”.
-for those who let go of one job and took another or let a job go to find the one meant for them.
-for those who took the leap of marriage.
-investing in your health, future.
-having a baby.
-saying yes when you thought you wanted to say no and then saying no when you know yourself too well and would have said yes.

With the baby coming in less than a month, I’ve started to read books on labor. My mom got me this great labor booked called “Better Birthing with Hypnosis, mindful Pregnancy and easy labor using the Leclaire Childbirth Method” by Michelle Leclaire O’Neill, Ph.D., R.N. I’ve starting skimming it and I came across this wonderful meditation about staying in touch your purpose and body. It could be used for more than labor. Here are a few lines from the mediation. Page 180:

• Feet: Walk your own path. What does that mean to you?
• Legs: Support yourself and get proper support from others.
• Hands: Reach out and hold onto what you want and need. Let go of what you don’t need or want.
• Arms: Comfort and embrace yourself, your baby, and others whom you chose.
• Shoulders: Carry what you want and need. Let go of the rest. Ask your own inner guide or your own higher power for the wisdom to know the difference.
• Eyes: See what you choose to see. Fill your eyes with beauty. Choose your literature, television, and movies carefully. Spend as much time as you can in nature in the midst of wherever you are. While you’re pregnant, make a list of what you want to to show your baby.

Even though I have about 5 months left in my pregnancy, I have already started the ultimate search for balance between work, home, and baby.  However, even though stress is alive and kicking, in the middle of it I know there are many things to be thankful for.

• Being pregnant.
• My husband willingness to stay positive and  keep laughter alive, knowing deep down I need it every day.
• My “Valley of the Moms” newsletter from the Sonoma Mom’s club.
• Attending an all girls Friday night  party with amazing women who lead, teach and advice at Napa Valley College and finding the support right when I need it most.
• A working washer and dryer.
• Having the support of my parents and friends only being a phone call away.
• Getting a great night’s sleep.

In away, there is always something new happening to all of us.  This week, I’ve got a new journal, my office’s new Id card machine and camera arrived and I am starting to really believe I am pregnant.  I am in the middle of my 14th week. Today, I heard the heart beat and got the green light from the doctor. This baby wants to be here. Last month, a fellow student life advisor told me that babys pick their moms, natural or by choice. Wow, I am having a baby.

I can almost see it
That dream I’m dreaming but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it,
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I’m going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they might knock me down but
No I’m not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m going to remember most yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on,
cause

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I’m going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Somebody’s you’re going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith
Whoaaa Ohwaoooh

From:http://www.byterology.com/2009/06/02/the-climb-miley-cyrus-lyrics-video/

Tonight it was my turn to host my small church group. It had been a few months since we gathered. I tend to offer my place in the summers because I’m off work a few weeks in June and a few weeks in July. It makes it easier when I’m already home. So, it was great to see everyone. The best part is we have a new member to our group who is my age who joined about 4 months ago. I mention to Natalie, I can organize the group and she could organize the reading. Let’s just say, the holy spirit rocks for bringing Natalie to our group. Natalie picked the Holy Spirit as our focus tonight. She incorporated scripture, a history lesson and lead a great discussion. As we were closing, she shared the following list with us and asked us to share which one really stood out for us.  I really liked it and wanted to share with you. For me, understanding and love was calling out to me.

Gifts of Holy Spirit
Wisdom
Understanding
Counsel
Fortitude
Knowledge
Piety
Fear of the Lord

Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Love
Peace
Joy
Patience
Kindness
Gererosity
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self Control

It has been over a week since my husband’s left knee has been out. I never realized how much we do that is related to walking until now. For the three day weekend, we hosted my family for the Indy 500, watched a movie,  have been hanging in there threw the rain delays of the NASCAR Coke-a-Cola 600, and have been updating our blogs. I feel like we’ve been watching T.V. for EVER! Once Matthias’ knee is back in action, we are heading out to the local hiking trails. Rain or Shine! There is much to love in life. My advice for today is love your knees!

Amazed: Today, I walked 4.5 miles to the ocean and back through the Point Reyes National Park. That makes almost a 9 mile hike!
Learning: As much as I want to change a student’s behavior, I can only change my own.
New motto: “Life Before Baby” and “Mondays = New Week”
Grace: Believe I am right where I need to be or I would be somewhere else.
Summer Planning: Career Counseling Class at APU in June, CCCSAA Transitional Retreat in July, and taking the train to Paris for a day while I am in Germany for my brother-in-law’s wedding in August.
Next month looking forward to: Seeing Wicked with my sister and Mom

I love date night, especially when Matthias and I meet at Murphy’s Pub for Wednesday Night Trivia. After three years of living in Sonoma, we finally one Trivia night! I have to admit, we ususally stay for 2 rounds at the most. But tonight, we stayed through all 5 rounds plus the picture round. Our team name was “We don’t know much”. There were 21 teams. Winners were 1st, 2nd and 9th. For 9th, there was a three way tie and one of teams was us!! We also solved the mystery of team “Eurotrash”.  And guess what, two are from England, one from Spain and one from Germany. We’ve been wondering for years if they really were..you know…from Europe. Maybe next time, we’ll sit by them.

I realized this morning that one year ago this week, was also Spring Break, and I had spent that week finishing my capstone (the portfolio section of my blog). When I think back I remember it being a lot of work! I had fun though. I had to organizing all my essays, upload examples, photos, etc. I sure learned a lot about pdf.

A year later though, I am happy to share that this Spring Break I spend the week catching up with friends and family. Here are a few high lights:

• Playing chicken foot dominoes with my sister and Grandma Grace in Tustin Ca.
• Hiking with Maria and having this amazing clear view from the top of the Sonoma Overlook trail
• Randomly playing bowling on a Wednesday afternoon with my Dad in Grass Valley
• Watching Lost with my parents and seeing them totally understanding the plot and having a blast, while I am totally “lost” (he he)
• Text messages Matthias while he is chilling at GDC (Gaming Development Conference) in S.F., feeling pretty lucky