We got more bounce in California than all y'all combined.....just teasin!

May was a busy month. I attended one of my first LA charity events in Hollywood. The event was a kickoff party for the Pink Door http://www.pinkdoornonprofit.com/. The Pink Door helps women cancer survivors get back into the workforce. This non profit organization was started by a fellow Clements High School graduate, Cortney Cole. Cortney's mother passed away from cancer in 2005 and Cortney started the organization in her mother's honor. My friend Lee, who serves on the board of the Pink Door Organization, flew in from Houston for the event, so it was great to see her again! It was an honor to be a part of this special night.

My friend Karl had a Cinco de Mayo party at his house which is called "Ludgate" because that's the name of the street he lives on. The house has a pool and a great layout, so it was a perfect place for our celebration. I actually helped cook! There was great food, even better company, and a fun pinata that didn't last long.

I attended another fun Dodgers game with my friends Ember and Todd (both from Texas.) Todd actually graduated from both Clements High School and Texas A&M-but we missed each other by a few years-it's such a small world. Pamela Anderson threw the first pitch, and I realized who my new favorite Dodger player is (see below.) We enjoyed plenty of Dodger dogs, which I found out are grilled instead of steamed on an upper level of the stadium-next time I go, my goal is to find where exactly that stand is! I managed to not spill mustard all over myself, so I would say it was a pretty successful evening.

Pepperdine was having an alumni gathering the week after the Dodgers game at a local BBQ joint, so Ember, Jeni, Haley, Karl and I stopped by for some socializing and tri-tip....mmmmm

Ember and I flashing our pearly whites :)

Haley holding an alumni sign (she just recently graduated from Pepp in December of 2007)

Also in May, I got the privilege of being my friend Jeni's date to her co-worker Nina's wedding in Pasadena. Jeni's husband was working in Phoenix that weekend and couldn't make it, so I got to step in. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding at the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The bride was beautiful and both the food and dancing were amazing. I even won a centerpiece to take home! Nina's colors included turquoise, my favorite, so I was in heaven. In addition to the fun peacock we saw in between the ceremony and reception, there were two screens in the reception room that showed the tide rolling in from a tropical location. The scene changed to dusk and then to night as the evening went on-it was really cool! Jeni and I took a picture together in front of the screen, and it looks like we were right there.

The all time highlight of May 2008 was traveling back to Texas to see my friends and family.

In College Station, we had a get together dinner in the outdoor patio at Ozona's and soooo many people that I love, miss and care about were able to make it. I truly thank you for making that night so special for me. It was bittersweet seeing the reasons why leaving and staying away from College Station is oh so hard. I had an action packed two days in the station that also included seeing Celeste (the best hair stylist ever- in my opinion), stopping by IPO to visit some of my old co-workers, and of course dropping by Northgate to see my little sis Sara. My friend Lona was gracious enough to let me crash at her house-so fun! Check out why they say the most beautiful women are from TEXAS......

The first night in Houston, I attended an Aggie Happy Hour where I got to catch up with Stephanie (my sorority sister) and Greg (another Clements and A&M grad.) My longhorn friends Andrea (my best friend since 2nd grade) and Mike (a friend from high school) came to the event just to see me! My sister Andee (A&M grad class of 2006 came too-which made it really special.)

My friend Sarah had her wedding reception that weekend at Maggiano's Little Italy near the Houston Galleria. Talk about good food! Man, we ate about six courses and had to roll ourselves home. It was such a blessing to seeing Sarah and Bryan again and be there for this special time. I couldn't be happier for this couple. They currently live in Dallas and are about to move into their new home. I brought Stephanie as my date and got to catch up with my friend Amy (who I met through Sarah) who loves rap/hip hop music just about as much as I do. Whenever Amy and I are together-watch out!


For the month of June, my parents decided to rent a house in Surprise, AZ (right outside of Phoenix) to see what it would be like to not live in Texas for a while. It was 120 degrees most days, but at least it's the dry kind of heat, right? Toby (our dog) was a good sport with the climate change. I traveled out there over a weekend and we had some great family bonding time seeing the Grand Canyon (a must see), taking a water aerobics class (all the McCall's went!), and seeing the movie Get Smart (very funny.) We took a train to the Grand Canyon that included some wild wild west entertainment (like a cowboy shootout and train robbery.) We had a blast!

Summer 2008 will officially be known as my summer of traveling and weddings. My sorority sister Katti got married in St. Louis, Missouri at the end of June and I was asked to read scripture in the ceremony. I happily obliged and booked an airline ticket immediately (you can never plan too early these days, you know?) I had never traveled to St. Louis before, so this was a real treat. It had been a couple of years since I had seen both Bob (Katti's then fiance, now husband) and Katti, so being there was truly an honor. I also got to see one of my best friends Bree who was the maid of honor. Bree currently lives in Florida so we don't get to see each other all too often living on opposite coasts-but I am hoping to visit her sometime this fall. The reception was held at a place called Windows on Washington in downtown St. Louis and it really gave the celebration a New York City kind of feel. I had tears in my eyes when I had to leave both Bree and Katti Sunday morning to fly back to LA. We used to have so much fun together living in the sorority house in College Station and this weekend brought back all of those great memories.

If May and June were the wedding months, July was definitely the party month! Throughout the month of July, I celebrated my friend Haley's birthday at La Paz (it was a surprise party thrown by her husband Zach), the 4th of July at Ludgate, and two birthday parties for my friend Jeni (one celebration took place at La Paz again and the other was a slumber party at her house-we watched cartoons way into the wee hours of the morning.)

My sister and I, along with my friends Carrie and Tomikka went to LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) and also to a fun restaurant called Home in Los Feliz (where all the celebs hang.) Sadly we didn't see any that day. But the food was good! As far as LACMA-it was a little too contemporary for me, but then again, this is LA.

Andee and I riding the escalador to the modern art building...don't we look cool in our shades??

Painted car at LACMA

Poster for the Japanese Art exhibit at LACMA

Lamppost art exhibit at LACMA

The girls in front of Home restaurant

My mom came to visit over a long weekend and took my sister and I to Universal Studios. She even bought us a season pass-so that we can go anytime for free for an entire year! My favorites were the Simpson's ride and the Water World show. The studio tour was great as well-we even got to see Wisteria Lane (from Desperate Housewives) and some fancy car moves from The Fast and Furious II or III movie (I can't recall which one.) They were filming DH that day, but surprisingly no one was outside to say hello.

My Mom and I at Universal Studios

The Simpson's Ride

Water World show-you get totally drenched!

My sister and I had a girl's weekend at my friend Katie's house in Santa Monica. We watched girly movies all day long (think Love Actually, etc.) That night, we went to an arts show down by the Santa Monica Pier and below is one of those exhibits-yes those are overhead projectors. People were behind the screens moving buttons and such around and around while switching the pieces from one screen to another. It was entertaining to say the least. There was also a really odd glass house that the most horrific noises were coming from (all artificial) but I didn't catch a picture of that. You'll just have to use your imagination.


I couldn't have ended July 2008 any better than to see our Dallas Cowboys at their training camp in Oxnard (which is about an hour north of us in LA.) We got to see Romo and T.O. up close and personal-it was awesome! I miss football (both professional and college level) so much!! We arrived in Oxnard about 7:30am last Saturday and didn't leave until the end of their second practice at 5pm. We are die hard fans for sure and got totally sunburned. My friends Zach, Haley, and Michelle, who went with me are all from the Dallas area and had a blast as well. This is the last year the Cowboys will train out here-next year they will start using the new Alamo Dome I believe. We topped off the day with a visit to Chick-Fil-A and Dairy Queen (neither one of those are within a 20 mile radius from us.)

Other fun stuff I should probably mention.....

1. I saw the PIV (Jeremy Piven) again at the Malibu theatre. This makes time number 3!!! He sat three rows ahead of Andee and I for the movie The Dark Knight. I kept thinking "what is he going to do if he's in one of these movie previews?"

2. Andee has moved out here and is currently bunking up in my room. She has started school at FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in downtown LA. Read all about her adventures at andeemovestocali.blogspot.com

3. I got accepted into Pepperdine's MBA program and I start classes August 25th! I will continue to work full time and my classes will be at night or on the weekends. I'm both nervous and excited to be back in school again.

4. I've been teaching water aerobics this summer while our current teacher is on maternity leave. It's been challenging but very fun.

5. I'm coming back to Aggieland for the Army game the weekend of September 27th. I hope I get to see everyone again, in addition to Amanda, Sabrina, and anyone else who I was not able to catch up with last time.

6. Today I survived my first earthquake! It was a 5.4 and I definitely felt the rippling while our whole building shook. I truly appreciate all of your messages of concern-I am A-OK.

I would love to hear how you are doing....drop me a line when you can. I think this is all for now folks-happy reading and I hope you enjoy my new blog layout and design.

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 :)