some things are universal...like Texans

Over the weekend on the drive out to Irvine, there was an SUV with Arizona plates. Next to the plates was a Texas flag sticker! The driver made an extra effort to pull up next to my Texas plated Honda and gave a simple nod of approval. In the parking lot at the Rangers/Cubs game was the single most Texas plates I have seen n the same spot since moving out here to Arizona. You know what, I love the Texan pride. One day, I yearn for my kids to understand the pride and experience it themselves. I miss that here. As I think and pray about my future and where God will lead, I feel he wants me away from Texas for at least a while...but I wouldn't complain if I ended up back there someday. As the speakers in the Rangers Spring Training stadium blared...

God blessed Texas.

I'm going to New Zealand!

http://aliciainnewzealand.blogspot.com/

dad, i missed you at the game.

So I am in the middle of my Spring Break thus far. This is what I've accomplished::

• washed and waxed the car
• worked on my papers/misc. homework
• cleanedthe car interior and filled with gas
• address fundraising letters
• cleaned my desk
• slept in
• rented a movie
• did laundry
• payed the electric bill
• went to my first spring training game
• met Fergie Jenkins and Ron LeFlore!
  

i wanted to buy this hat on the top left!


Ron LeFlore!

Fergie Jenkins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOF 1991.

oh my goodness I missed my roomates SO much. (as titled by my roommate...i think she missed me)

new dream::

• live in SO CAL (preferably Irvine area) for at least one year of my life.

dreams fulfilled from the weekend::

• Driving down Ocean Ave on Laguna Beach while yellowcard is on
• finally reaching Orange County and blring Supertones with the windows down

now...to the neighbors con SONIC. peace and love.

Today I am 21.5!

It's officially my half-birthday!

I went to California last weekend on a Navigator trip and in our car we shared our life stories. These stories included stories of my oldest sister breaking Diana's dream house before she really got to play with it and our chalk villages tha would go all the way down the street! As I thought back on my past, i've decided that occasionally I will write of my youth. As this is my half-birthday, i've decided to begin with one of my favorites!

I don't actually remember how old I was when i was baptized. I believe it was around 8 or so. My dad got to perform the task. He asked me what seemed like a never-ended series of questions in front of a multitude of people at CBC Bartonville. Belive it or not, I didn't really like being the center of attention. I was pretty nervous and was careful to not lose my footing on the slippery stool at the bottom of the pool. it was finally time and my dad put down the microphone. I crossed my arms and my dad emerged me into the water "in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit."

It's funny becasue apparently my mother baptised me as a baby in our bathtub in order for her Catholic family to not be worried about my salvation and when tey inquired if i was baptised she could respond yes.

As my dad emerged me into the lukewarm pool, I held my breathe for wat seemed like eternity. He started to pull me out so i began to exhale. As soon as all of my air was gone i felt his arms push me under again. Apparently the first time i floated! He wanted to be sure the job was done correctly! So, after being completly submerged, I arose with a slight cough and gasp for air. There is no doubt I was baptised that day. And that I survived to tell the tale!

What was your baptism like?

just have's

I was talking to one of my roomies today about the just have's in college life. The "I just have to make it past this test," or "I just have to make it through the week." I feel right now as if my life is in a I just need to make it to spring Break time. I am so stressed at times all I need is time to be on my own. I haven't had much time to process things going on in my life so as new things come i just get more stressed. It's sad i know. It's now of the hard things about living with so many people. I love my roomies, but I think i am discovering more and more how introverted i am. Then, there is also the, i "just have" to make it through this semester, keep the scholarship so i can begin to pursue some of the ministerial dreams i have for my remaining time at ASU. I have no plans for Spring Break. I really need to get out of Tempe though. I'm thinking about just going for a drive...any suggestions?

love is everywhere!

as i was walking to school i saw this!

fact:: today is arizona's 96th birthday

have you ever had one of those morning where you wake up and everything is off?

Today was that morning for me. It was 9am. My phone alarm was going off. The rest is my mental processing.

alarm...arrgggg. (i'm not really a morning person!) *hit alarm off* what time is it anyway? Nine? why did i set my alarm. it's still pretty dark. i do NOT want to get up. is it really nine? *squinty eyed looks at clock* yeah it is. darn. why did i have to get up so early? oh my gosh i am sore from working out yesterday! abs...ow! Where am i even? Texas? Holland? no, i don't live in egmond a/d hoef anymore. Guido does. Oh yeah. I'm at school. Why am i awake? i don't have any classes on friday? is it friday? *looks at phone clock* oh my gosh it's thursday. do i have classs on thursday? I HAVE A TEST TODAY! *gets up, dressed, feeds the puppy, and rushes to the bus*

I made it to class early. Then as a Valentines/ Arizona birthday suprise we got to use our notes on the exam! lucky for me i take amazing notes...no seriously...they are amazing! even my professors say so.

Have an amazing day!

g for gut...as in gnome.

Ever have one of those sickening gut feelings that someone you love is having a hard time at the moment? Well, I'm having that. I can't sleep.

"What's the Difference between Payton and Eli Manning?" -my roommate Amber

The Russians are here! Our Nav director as ASU, Mike Bedient, used to live in Russia before moving back to the states. For the past 7 years, he has led a team back to hold an English camp. 11 of those students and friends are in town getting the American experience. I've met a few of them and they are pretty cool.

The Superbowl was here in Arizona this past weekend and I got the benefit of a lot of free amazing things as a result! I went to the PGA tour's FBR tournament in Scottsdale. We got the VIP treatment with valet and sat on the famous 16th hole cheering, booing, and having a fun time. When Phil Mickelson came, we started the "ASU, ASU" chant just for him as he is an alumni. That evening, the Counting Crows had a free concert at Tempe Beach Park! We worked our way up to the 2nd row and rocked out to Mr. Jones and Long December. Free firework show afterwards too! And then the Giants won to wrap up an amazing weekend! Now I am out of my Tuesday classes debating which paper to work on while the puppy is taking a nap. Is it Spring Break time yet?

Super Bowl XLII

I can't even walk around campus without seeing Super Bowl advertising! I guess that is expected as I even caught a glimpse of the Patriots after finishing practice at out stadium. While we have been in classes, the team has been only yards away practicing for Sunday. I even caught a glimpse of Snoop Dogg advertising something. It's pretty cool. Granted, i would be sooo much more excited if the Cowboys or Packers were in it, but oh well. Counting Crows has a free concert tomorrow so i'm excited! There have been a lot of free concerts but i have been too busy to go! So go NY..please beat the patriots!

the old woman

i was driving to school the other day at the Polytech campus. The ASU Polytech campus is about a 40 minute drive to the middle of nowhere. Half of the University property is still government land and the rest is under construction. Anyways, I was about halfway through my trip and I was caught in traffic on this road in the middle of nowhere. The sunset looked awesome over the wet desert as we've had storms the past few days as a foreshadowing of the soon coming monsoon season. What I noticed was a lady walking in between the two lanes. She had a bag flailing with her arms and she just looked lost, but as if she knew where she were going. I am going to call her Shannon.

So Shannon stopped for a minute and with a deep sigh embraced the sight of the sunset. Just cocked her head slightly and looked at it. Then she was back on her way. Arms flailing to the music in her head. And then I thought...maybe that's what resting in the LORD is. We all have our our beat and style on our journey, we have a mission and a way to go, and yet; we get times to rest with God and sigh while staring at the sunset. Needless to say, although it's been a long weekend full of hurt and too much trusting in humans, class wasn't so bad last night. And for a little bit, I felt at peace with God.

One more thing...HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!

why does rush hour have to go east on the 60 when i am going to class?!?

I had a pretty amazing end to winter break. After two weeks in Texas, I went to EDH (a town just outside of Sacramento) to spend some good quality time with my friend Katy. We got to tour the jelly belly factory, get scared by the infamous Bush man, and just chill.

After 5 days in Nor Cal, it was back to Tempe, AZ to spend 3 days cleaning the house and getting ready for school to start back up. So here I am. Day 4 into my 6th semester at ASU. This has been a crazy run so far. Normally you at least have one class on the first day that just hands out the syllabus and sends you on your way. Not so much this semester. Normally you also have a few classes that are purely test based. Again, not so much this semester. Sure there are tests, but there are also papers, journals, quizzes, discussion boards, readings...all for one of my six classes!

As of last night all of the roommates are finally moved in AND i officially changed my major to Art Studies. It's good because it allowed me to take one less hour and i may drop another class to get down to 16 for the semester. School is truly my main focus this semester so not much more is going on.

I miss my best friend so Tempe is different without her but I'll be ok.
A lot of friends got engaged over winter break..and i mean a lot of friends.
I plan on going on a 5 week mission trip over the summer that I am excited for.

New Year:: New staff photography site!

http://alicia.d.garcia.googlepages.com/home

i'm playing around with themes and such before i change the link to staffphotography.com again. Let me know what you think. also, if you have any photo storing and showing tips!

Oh yeah...Happy New Year!

playtime

52-34 suffication

We just couldn't handle them.

Next year.

Feliz Navidad!

Merry Christmas one and all! And congrats once again to Ryan and Val! glad i could be part of the grand occasion!

world traveler

Let's see, we were off to the Grand Canyon, climbed over the ledge. Then we dropped by the four corners and crossed into Colorado. Blew a tire in a small town, and still made it to the Glyn Eyrie castle in Colorado to talk to other Navigator student about the possibility of EDGE and what God is doing in our lives. What a busy three days!

What if Patrick Henry's famous words were really, "Live Free or Die Hard?"

The lights hang on the Christmas tree as it is flooded with candy canes, ornaments and polaroids of friends. We had our roommate Christmas on Sunday. It was a good time to just chill and spend time with each other. When did I become old enough to celebrate Christmas outside of Texas and my parent's home?

A lot of change is coming in this next semester. It's like the clouds in the Arizona sky. You know a storn is coming, but you can't tell if it is a gentle rain or monsoon on its way. I'm excited for it I suppose, yet like numerous other human beings i'm not always fond of change. I've got into a routine of things. I'd like to know if i'll be in seminary after college or even in the country.
I guess the reason i don't know is solely that I want to know and don't need to know. I never was fond of that phrase..."it's on a need to know basis." But that's how God works. He knows, we don't yet. deal with it.

But Christmas with the roommates was good. There was Christmas noodles and exchanging of gifts followed by Mexican train. couldn't ask for much better than that.

t-shirt idea

so one of my friends from high school is involved in this company and i pretty much think this is an amazing t-shirt!

So I Still Have Yet to Unpack from Thanksgiving

I have been so busy these past few weeks. This weekend I have been working loooong hours with the Rockettes. There are worse gigs out there i suppose, but now my feet ache as i prepare for bed. I have one final down and four to go! *whew* I haven't had the chance to catch my breath since Thanksgiving.

But as for work this past week, I was lucky enough to get to sit in on the Christmas Spectacular show a few times. It is amazing. I love watching theater. Someday I'd like to take my mom to New York to see the show. I think it is so amazing and how these people have the energy to keep going as they do is crazy to me. I think it is so cool how they briefly tell Christ's story at the end though. It gives me a reminder ever 2 hours and 50 minuates why I live how I do. Dance on Rockettes...dance on.