Great Quotes

Two people posted two quotes on Facebook that have resonated with me:

"Love will find a way. Indifference will find an excuse."
"Don't make someone a priority who only sees you as an option."

Boy, have these quotes come to play in my life! A very unfortunate statement, but I think it is mostly true for everyone. Whether it be a friend or potential romantic relationship, a lot of times one person puts in more effort than the other.

I've found this to be the case with friends mostly, probably because I've had more friends than I have had romantic relationships. In the case of friends, I have to weigh whether or not it's worth it to make any effort at all, considering the lack of effort from the other party. Sometimes I just re-categorize the relationship from true friend to mere acquaintance and in other cases I drop the person because they are clearly not regarding me as a person with feelings. I do not understand those types, but I've been known to befriend them from time to time. That indifference is what confuses me. How can you be indifferent to someone's feelings if you've spent considerable time with them?

So, in comes the second quote where I shift from making that effort (or making that person a priority) to adding time boundaries and making others a priority instead when it's clear they only see me as one of many options, and an option that isn't at the top of their list) .

Sad that we have to do that, but it's a fact of life.

Frustration: A 74 AGAIN!!!

This morning, as has been my habit since April 11th, I went to the CBA (California Board of Accountancy) website to check my final test score. I took the Audit section last April 10th and my original score had been a 74. 75 is passing. At the same time I had received my Regulation exam score so that consoled me and I made a plan to retake the Audit section. That is what I did April 11th.

I had to wait an additional month for my score because the AICPA changed the testing format. Today was the day I found out my score: 74 AGAIN! I am extremely frustrated that I have been so close twice and so I am back to square one. I have to dust off the books, call Becker to make sure my software is updated and valid and begin the grind of studying daily at lunch and studying all day Saturday and Sunday.

I will be appealing my grade since it is a new testing format and maybe by some miracle I will win (it is a miracle because less than 1% of appeals are approved). In the meantime, I'll study.

This next time is the last shot because of the timing. I'll take the exam in August and get the results in October. One of my other exams expires November 1st, so I have to pass the Audit section before that exam expires. If I don't, that means I have to retake that expired exam.

Hopefully 3rd time is a charm. I don't know why God has maneuvered it so that I have to remain in California for longer. I've wanted to move for 2 years and was planning (if I passed) to move to Boston or another city (depending on if I get a job offer) in the next couple of months. Those plans are now postponed. I have to have faith that God has a plan. It is difficult to hold onto that faith, when my hopes are dashed. I need prayers desperately.

Irish Fair

Sunday morning I drove down to Irvine with my brother, Todd, and his son, Thomas to visit the annual Irish Fair.
Here is an Irish parade we saw just after when entered the fair grounds:

A Feis dancing competition was in full swing. It's very entertaining!

I got curious about adult Irish dancing so I asked an official about it. We'll see if there are any good and convenient classes in my area. :)

There were several demonstrations throughout the day of the art of sheepherding. Those dogs are VERY well trained!

It was surprisingly difficult to find traditional Irish food (and the beer stands for that matter!), but we managed to find one booth. I had a corned beef sandwich, Thomas had cheese brutwurst (bangers) and Todd had fish and chips.

After lunch, it was shopping time! I got a few tee shirts that have the Wales dragon on it and it says "Wales", as well as a Wales flag that I gave Todd (he wanted to put it up on the treehouse in his back yard) and a Wales flag blanket that I gave Thomas (early birthday gift).

Before we left the fair, I was parched, so I decided to get a cool italian ice to quench my thirst. It was a delicious combination of blue raspberry, lemon and cherry.

Of course, my teeth and tongue turned blue:

Here I am with my nephew, Thomas.

Here are Thomas and Todd. It took a lot of effort to get Thomas to smile for the camera, I tell ya!

We had a great time and surprisingly, traffic wasn't too bad on the way back!

Tania's Birthday at King's Hawaiian

A big group of us went to King's Hawaiian Restaurant to celebrate my friend, Tania's, birthday. Half the table were mutual friends and the other half were new women to get to know.

Here's Tania when the famous paradise cake was delivered.They came over and gave me a piece of cake as well since it had been my birthday, which was really sweet! All in all, I had 4 separate birthday cakes or what was in lieu of cake! Sorry this picture is so small, but you get the gist!

Spongebob and A Flat Tire

Sunday of Memorial Day, my friend, Heather and I went to Manhattan Beach for lunch and then walked from MB to Hermosa Beach and walked around Fiesta Hermosa. It was crowded and there were over 100 booths to explore.

We met someone famous while we were there:

When we got back to Heather's car, we discovered a flat tire. Good thing Heather knows how to change it. I assisted by taking the old tire and putting it back where the spare had been in the trunk.

Actual Birthday Dinner

I met up with my friend, Liz, after work on my actual birthday. We went to the Salt Creek Grille which has the best sliders I've ever had (it has blue cheese on it, which I ordinarily despise, but it isn't too strong and sets off the other flavors):
Liz isn't much of a beef eater so we ordered this goat cheese (also a cheese I dont' normally like) and marinara appetizer. So delicious!

Here we are drinking our very girlie martinis (mine was black cherry lemon drop):

Here I am getting a sugar high from gelato:
Those are candles sticking out from the gelato. I got three more wishes!

Birthday Dinner

After dropping off the meal (see previous post) I drove to the Outback restaurant for a small birthday gathering with friends. I am so mad at myself for not thinking to get a group shot of our table! Angie, Heather, Dyanelle, Shelley, Colleen and Alan were there to celebrate with me.I was sung to and given a dish of ice cream. In addition we ordered the dessert sampler, which had a gluten free brownie topped with ice cream, a caramel cheesecake and a carrot cake.

Dropping Off a Meal

My church has a meals ministry for families that have new additions (the church better since they have over 30 babies born this year to the church families). Since I know Jenn and Andy, I signed up for a meal.

It gave me an opportunity to make my baked ziti recipe. I only know how to make meals for armies, so it works out because they got more than just one meal out of it. I also made a pear, feta and almond salad and bought a peach mimosa dressing that I hear was delicious on the salad. It sounded intriguing to me! I also bought 2 fruit tarts for dessert.

I had left over plates, napkins, glasses and utensils from the shower so I brought those along so they wouldn't have to do dishes (and I don't like to waste!).

I was able to spend some more time with Sophia.
Time passes quickly with a newborn in your arms, I tell ya! I actually was literally late to my own party (but only 5 minues) because Sophia is such a cuddler!

Sophia Christine Steip

All weekend, my sister, Erika's sister-in-law was in labor and had the baby on late Sunday night/early Monday morning. Although I am really Jenn and Andy's sister-in-law's sister, I am considered part of the family, so they call me Auntie Alexis for their new daughter, Sophia Christine Steip.

Monday I was able to stop by the hospital and visit. When I arrived, there were three pastors there, a pastor's wife and the maternal grandma, or Mimi as she wants to be called (her actual name is Judy).

Cindy Kaney was holding Sophia when I came in...so small. Pastor Chris Cannon (head pastor at my church) lead us all in a word of prayer before everyone left (except me) since they had been there awhile.

Sophia is such a cuddler! She is so sweet! Now I have another niece to spoil, I mean positively influence.

Helen's Paradise Cherry Blossom Cake

I ordered a cherry blossom decorated paradise cake from King's Hawaiian. A paradise cake is a three layered cake that has three different cake flavors: guava, passion and lime with a very light frosting. The layers are pink, yellow and green, respectively. Here is the bride with her cake:

Shower Games

After lunch and getting to know one another a bit, it was time for the games. Here is Helen laughing after she reads an advice card:Bridal Bingo was the next game. I had never played this at a shower. It is harder/takes longer than you'd think! Helen reading out the next item:Cailin, on the far left, is the winner of Bridal Bingo. She went home with cherry blossom bath gel, lotion and vanilla lip gloss.

Apron Guessing Game

This is a game where the bride puts on an apron that has various kitchen/marriage items hanging from it. She walks around the room and people have to try and remember as many items as they could after she leaves the room.
The women waiting for Helen to come out of hiding:

This is a really tough game. Look at how intently these women are inspecting the apron!
Helen took a few turns around the room.

She had to turn around since there were items on the backside!

Here is a picture of Von (another bridesmaid) and I earlier. See how I have a piece of paper in my top? Yep, that's the answer key to this game! Unfortunately all the pictures are prior to this game was played so it looks rather odd.

After everyone guessed, the winner (Linda, Helen's soon-to-be-mother-in-law) had guessed 7 of the 20 items. I think I should have given everyone another minute! There were several items that were unusual so I gave out little prizes to those that could guess them. Some of them were head scratchers. I wish I had taken some pictures of those. Then I could have quizzed you and found out whether you know what a pickle picker looks like! What about a cherry stoner? Strawberry Huller? Olive/Cherry Spoon?

Shower Buffet and Food

The appetizer was gorgonzola cheese with a cranberry and walnut topping. I liked the look of it because it looks like a flower. I'm not a fan of gorgonzola cheese, but several people liked the treat.This was the first time I had tried to make petite (or tea) sandwiches. I used two types of breads for two types of sandwiches: rainbow bread (made by King's Hawaiian) for the cream cheese, dill and cucumber sandwiches and Webber's White for the cream cheese, pineapple and ham sandwiches. Susan helped me with these. We cut the sandwiches into wedding shapes like a wedding dress, bell, wedding cake and a ring shape.

The main course was chinese chicken salad. This was made with 2 types of lettuce, grilled chicken, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, fried wonton noodles and Lisa's Bon Appetit's famous chinese chicken salad dressing.

I served two types of King's Hawaiian rolls (savory and sweet) to compliment the salad:

Von, one of the bridesmaids, made a fruit salad that we served in these cute little cups!

Here is a view of the entire buffet table:

Here is the bride and a few of the guests enjoying the food. I asked everyone to go around the table and tell everyone how they met Helen as a simple icebreaker.

Helen's Shower Set Up

My friend, Helen is getting married! I threw her a shower on May 28th. The theme was cherry blossoms!

Here I am in the apron my sister Tanya made me. I was so excited to have an opportunity to use it finally!
I set up an area for the guests to self-address an envelope so that would save Helen the trouble, since she is in a time crunch with all the wedding plans still to finalize.Everyone was requested to fill out advice cards for a game where Helen guesses who gave the advice.Here is the container I put the favors. Everyone got a set of 2 cherry blossom coasters.
What's a shower without shower punch! Here is a bouquet of stock, which I picked up from Trader Joes. Aren't they beautiful? And they smell spicy! Ever since then, I've wanted a bouquet for myself! Yep, I got my Martha Stewart on! I made the napkin rings!