May 7th will be one year

since I packed up my little Corolla and drove cross country with my mom out here to Malibu....can you believe it?...It's been too terribly long since I've posted a blog. I have a couple spare hours so I thought it would be a perfect time to update you on how things are going.

First of all let me say that I absolutely love living in California (minus the $4/gallon gas.) The move was definitely the right decision for me and I know was part of God's plan and his perfect timing. I've made so many new friends out here and I am never bored...ever. I find myself currently in a whirlwind but I'm hoping that slows down just a little once the school year is over and summertime is here. I'm so happy right now and I love that I can share that with all of you.

I spent the first couple of days of Christmas break in Sugar Land visiting family and friends and then on Christmas Eve me, Mom, Dad, Toby and Granny piled in the car and drove up to Dallas. We stayed at Andee's apartment Christmas Eve night, then left Christmas Day for Colorado (in a super cool minivan.) Andee had to work the two days after Christmas (gotta love retail) so she flew into Colorado Springs the second night after we had arrived. We stayed in a really cute cabin and played in the snow. Toby loved the snow. There was even a snowman waiting for us when we arrived! Below are a few pictures from the trip:

Our cute cabin!

The snowman that was awaiting our arrival:Granny and Toby:

I bought Andee and I matching Uggs for Christmas-she likes to show hers off.

Mom bought us all matching fleeces to wear for the family picture-Toby didn't feel like cooperating at that time, it was too cold!

Doesn't he look so cute in his sweater, though?Me and the giant bear statue-I love that fur jacket! I bought it in high school to wear while in NYC (our choral group was chosen to sing in Carnegie Hall!)

Cripple Creek, Colorado-where we gambled a little and lost a little more!
As far as January goes, I spent New Year's very low key with my sorority sister Stephanie. We ate some yummy Mexican food and then went to the movies. Our waiter at Cafe Adobe tried to kiss us! We knew 2008 was going to be a great year at that very moment.

I also dragged my friend Jessica to a Leon Russell concert at the Malibu Inn mid-January. My mom had sent me an email saying I must go see him because she and my dad had seen him in concert back in the day, etc. It was a good concert but Jessica and I were the only two people under 45 in the whole joint!

Leon Russell playing the keyboard:

February was a busy month! Not only did I visit the Santa Monica Pier again, I hiked the Hollywood sign (my first real hike-ever) with Pepperdine's campus recreation department, traveled to Las Vegas for a weekend getaway AND had two sets of visitors from Texas! YEAH! Here are pictures with some of the highlights....

I thought this was funny! I've got Hollywood literally in my hands.....you can tell I was dressed to impress that day :P

Proof that I hiked all the way to the top! This is the view from behind the letters! There is a fence up there now because stars used to commit suicide off the letter "H".

Here is a picture I took without the fence showing:

Here is a picture showing the fence:

This is a fun picture my friend Ember took of our shadows while hiking up to the sign:

Santa Monia Pier sign at night:

Danna, Me and Ember on the Ferris Wheel at the Santa Monica Pier:

A sign on the Santa Monica Pier-not something you see around TX too much!

Danna and I went to Vegas the second weekend in February. It's only a 45 minute flight from LAX to LAS and well worth it! You can usually get a round trip ticket for around $100 if not less (even on the weekend.) We met up with our friend Elaine who was in town for a conference and also with our friend Cat's mom who lives in the area.

Danna and I waiting to enter the Price Is Right show at Bally's...sadly we were not picked to be contestants but we were ready:

Statue at Lake Las Vegas resort area-I thought he was cute:


Now this is the LIFE (outside the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Lake Las Vegas):

You know I had to stop by Toby Keith's Bar and Grill!

About a week after we got back from Vegas, my mom and sister flew out for a short weekend trip. I love having my friends and family come visit me (hint! hint!) We stopped by Pink's hotdogs first. I wasn't a fan but Andee and mom both loved it.

Picture of mom's hotdogs....mmmmmm

We traveled to Oxnard for some whale watching.....it was fun, cold, but no whales were seen....only some rare dolphins that I couldn't catch pictures of.

Mom and Andee waiting for the boat to pull out of the dock:

I was soooo excited about the possibility of seeing some whales...oh well:

I took Andee to the Pepperdine homecoming basketball game and Kenny G played the national anthem.

We were excited about seeing him-especially Andee (Kenny G is in the picture too!):

My friend Ember and the Pepperdine mascot-the WAVE at the game:

Ember and I rockin out Pepperdine gear at the game:

Pepperdine wins!!!!

Before Andee and mom left, I had to take them to the beach, so we went to my favorite one-Carbon....right here in Malibu. It's not all rocks, I promise.... this shot just showcases them.

Ember and I at Carbon beach:

February was also my friend Jaime's 30th birthday. We celebrated with mexican food and going salsa dancing. The ballroom/club charged us $15 and that covered your entrance fee plus an hour long lesson. So basically it was our group and then about 200 professional dancers (we are in LA.) I was asked to dance by this really cute guy that reminded me of Mossimo from the movie The Wedding Planner or if you are a Grey's Anatomy fan, Alex.

Here is a picture of me with the birthday girl, Jaime at the salsa club:

My big sis from ADPi Mindy also came to visit me in February. We had fun at Duke's in Malibu, at the Adamson House, the Santa Monica Pier and Promenade, and also on Carbon beach. Her visit was short but I was really happy to see her. Her sister Kelly and Kelly's friend came along as well.

Mindy and I at Duke's:

My friend Haley who is getting married in Fort Worth this summer and I at Duke's. It was SO cold that night, so Haley had to put on my black leather jacket:

The Adamson House (old tile factory):

March was a fun month as well. I recently discovered this very cool restaurant called The Sunet Restaurant that is on Westward beach, before you get to Zuma.....so about 10 minutes north on PCH from campus. The downstairs is a casual environment with live music and the upstairs has a more intimate setting. Having dined both upstairs and down, I prefer the downstairs (relaxed) environment.

This shot was take while standing right outside the restaurant:

My friends Tomikka and Ember at The Sunset Restaurant:

Me standing infront of that sunset (2 pictures above) but it's a little dark!

Another restaurant that is also my favorite is CPK (California Pizza Kitchen). Below is a picture of my friend Tiffany and I at the CPK in Santa Monica. A group of us went there after church.

My friend Jeni threw her husband a White Trash themed birthday party. It was a lot of fun! I wore aviators, my Toby Keith concert t-shirt, bright blue eyeshadow and dark red lipstick. Oh and let's not forget the necklace that is "Rochelle" written in gold.

Here is a picture of me getting ready. I guess I could have just left my rollers in!

Me and Ember at the party. I love her Ed Hardy (he's a really hot designer right now in LA) hat. Note the chocolate on her lips from the chocolate fountain....we couldn't get enough!

Jeni and I:

The fabulous Houston Oiler cowboy boots my dad let me borrow:

I also walked in my first 5K in March with my friend Patty at Zuma beach.

Note my t-shirt! Gig 'Em!!

The night of April 18th was Pepperdine's Faculty/Staff Appreciation Dinner at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown LA. The food was amazing. Steak, Salmon....what more could a girl from Texas ask for?

Haley and I in the Biltmore lobby...I'm not gonna lie....I loved my dress and felt pretty great:

A toast to all the Pepperdine retirees:

Our dessert plate....mmmmm....yummy!

The reception area:The ceiling at the Biltmore...I thought it was picture-worthy
(but then again, I think most things are!)

My amazing family came out to visit as a group for the 2nd time in the past year and we really had fun. We hung out in Malibu the first day they got here and then headed to San Diego to stay at a Harrah's there for some sun and gambling.

My mom and I at Duke's

Dad and Granny at Duke's:

Jeremy, Jeni, and Andee doing the sorority "1,2,3" pose at Duke's


Andee and I at Duke's:

My dad and I in front of the view from our house in Topanga....pretty breath taking!

Mom and Dad at a BBQ place right down the street from my house....aren't they so cute?

The hotel we stayed at in San Diego

Andee and I's amazing room:

Andee and I having fun in the pool:

Several of my senior student workers graduated this semester and we had an appreciation dinner at Tammy's house. Below is a picture of me and Dama....she was my first friend here. I'm going to really miss her! She will be a teacher in the Rio Grande Valley for the next two years through a program called Teach for America.

Some of my adorable and fun student workers:

Tammy and I with our senior graduating girls....Michelle, Dama and Lisa:

Until next time......love and miss y'all :)