I Heart San Diego.... A Personal Narrative I wrote for ENG 102: Experiences in Writing class :)

I Heart San Diego

I heart San Diego is what frames the beautiful, blue ocean surrounding four best friends. Anna stands smiling in her beautiful paisley patterned dress while her wrist, wearing hope, holds tight to Jon’s arm. Jon’s clean cut, white dress shirt draws attention to his funny face aiming for laughs from the photographer, and my dramatic pose; an open smile with one arm resting on Jon’s shoulder and the other wrapped around Jen’s neck, drawing her colorful dress closer and bringing attention to her eyes looking about.

Picking up this photo from the corner Walgreens, we three girls fight to see the developed pictures first. Of course, the pictures are from my camera, so I have ultimate authority over them. We get in the car and when I am done looking at one picture I pass it along to Anna. Then Anna and Jen do the same, and before you know it, we have an assembly line going. Then, all of a sudden, I get to this silly picture of my siblings and I, and I scream, “I look great in this picture! Look at my tan line!” Anna immediately grabs the photo from my hands and says, “You would say that, Amy. The one picture that everyone is being silly in, I am the dork ball who is smiling.” Then Anna passes the photo along to Jen and Jen says, “Anna, that’s so you though, you hate taking silly pictures! You probably knew it was a silly picture and you decided to smile anyways.” While Jen is saying this to Anna, she starts laughing and then I knew exactly what frame I was going to put this picture in…I heart San Diego. The frame does not match or compliment the picture perfectly, but it does remind me of where the picture was taken and the memories of that weekend in California before everyone had to return to their normal, day-to-day, grown up lives.

Taking this picture the summer right before I began my college journey only makes this more special—being at home from now on is merely temporary. Going to college is amazing and I never imagined it to be as great as it is. I am in love with Concordia University and all of the wonderful friends I have made here. I know I am growing as a person and am also being spiritually filled on a daily basis. Just because I love where I am and this stage in my life however, does not mean I have forgotten my friends back home; it does not mean I have forgotten about my church; it does not mean I have forgotten how amazing California’s weather is; and it definitely does not mean I have forgotten what it is like to have the whole family together—and to have that emptiness eat you up inside when we are not.

Walking back to my dorm after a long day of classes, feeling really tired and a little depressed I get to see this. The tiredness is probably because I did not go to bed at a decent time the night before, and the depressed part is probably a mixture of not having friends close by that know everything about me, you know—the ones who feel like family. It is probably a little from not having a boyfriend like all the other girls, and a lot of it is because I am missing my siblings and my parents. I drop my keys and water bottle on my dresser and instead pick up this picture. Tearing up with the yearn to be in that moment with them, I smile, remember taking the picture and just cling to the frame knowing I will get to see them all soon. Then hearing my next-door neighbor’s dorm door slam, I put the frame down and hope it is Anna & not someone else. I go inside and it is Anna. She knows how I am feeling; she is my twin. She gives me a hug and quietly holds on tight.

I heart my Savior. I heart my family. I heart my three best friends. I heart San Diego.

amy here!

Yesterday morning it was 40 degrees & we walked to church in dresses and flip flops...then
last night we walked to Janzow (the cafeteria) and it was somewhere in the 20s and snowing! CRAZY weather I'll tell you!

me posing for a picture to text to Jon :)

Walking to dinner

Friday night Anna and I went to Cafe on the Square with Jillian, Alex, Claire, Brittany, & Amanda. That was fun :) As Anna put it, "a night of good convos, good food, and great girls :)."
Then afterwards, we watched Invincible with Adam, Armani, Amanda, Trey, Brittany, and Theo in Theo's room... Him and Colin's room is very cozy... they have lots of room & a futon :)

Then Saturday we spent most of the day in the gym watching 3 basketball victories and cheering on the Bulldogs with the new Bulldog dance :)
Then, we went to Lincoln with Amanda, Montana, Adam, Armani, Trey, Brittany, and Theo and went to Starbucks and the movies. Adam, Armani, Anna and I saw Red Tails and Amanda, Montana, Trey, Brittany, and Theo saw Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. We loved Red Tails... but our friends gave Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close mixed reviews.

Yesterday afternoon the whole family got to Google+... that was great :) We are going to have to do that more often. MISS YOU & LOVE guys so much!!

Welp, I just finished with First Aid & CPR class and now I am off to World Civ II.

This morning, on the way to CPR, my friend Molly said to me, "I am not sure if this is just wishful thinking, but I have a feeling that it is going to be a really good week!" and I would have to say, I am feeling that too, Molly! :)

Miss you bunches Cali!!
xoxo,
AMY

Prayer

Artifact Paper

In my Experiences in Writing Class (Eng 102) we had to write about an artifact (or object) that we brought with us to school that is special or important to us. I brought in a frame holding this picture of the me and my siblings at Mom and Dad's 25th Wedding Anniversary Surprise Party... I thought I'd share the short paper with you:

          Growing up with three sisters, I’m sure that my brother would tell you that we four kids could never get a good picture with just the first snapshot. One of us girls would always say, “oh, I don’t like that one” or “eww… I look gross.” Well, that was not the case with this picture. Two years ago, Amy, Jen, Jon, and I planned, put on, and succeed at throwing our parents a surprise 25^th wedding anniversary party. We were just 4 kids in high school and college so as you can imagine it was difficult figuring out all the details, but we did it, and looking back on it now, I am amazed that we pulled it off. I still remember the text from Jen: she, and Mom and Dad, were on their way home from Jen’s basketball game at Concordia, Irvine. At that moment, I had no idea that this would be the one of the best memories in my life.

After being surprised, Mom and Dad were escorted upstairs to change into formal attire. Awaiting them at the bottom of the stairs was a second surprise: their bridal party and family from out of state were there. The shock on their faces was priceless. Jon, the oldest of us four, made a speech, we played a movie picture slideshow, and us four made a toast. Mom and Dad were crying. You could just see the love and happiness that surrounded them. Then, Dad gave a speech of thanks to all the guests, and the champagne was poured. My Mom repeatedly has said how wonderful that party was because it was the last time our whole family was together before Grandpa and Pastor Loesch died. “It was definitely a God thing,” as my Mom always says.

So, this picture that I have sitting on my desk at school is the picture of the happiest memory in my life. We weren’t worrying about how we looked in the picture; it was us, in true form: relaxed and having a wonderful time with the people we loved. 

2nd Semester in Full Swing

Hey everyone... it's Anna here!
Well, we've been back for almost one week now and it's been great...
We flew into Omaha last Saturday night and stayed with Oz and Dani. It was great catching up with them :) Then, Oz drove us to Seward on Sunday when the dorms opened up.
Amy and I spent a good 3 hours unpacking, organizing, and cleaning. Then the crew started showing up! It felt like we all were coming back to our favorite summer camp and we were seeing our long time friends... pretty awesome.

This semester I am taking: New Testament, Calculus with Applications, Education Psychology and General Methods, Education 201-Intro to Education, Experiences in Writing, First Aid & CPR, Financial Literature, Women's Chorale, and Voice Lessons. 18 units... Yesterday I got my field experience assignment for Ed Psyc and I'm starting to feel the load. :/ I will be teacher aiding the entire semester for a 4th grade classroom at St. Vincent's Catholic School (in Seward) on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:45-9:45 (say goodbye to sleeping in). But, I like my professors and I have lots of friends in my classes, so I think it's going to be a good semester.
I also got a Student Job this week. I am doing data input for the Admissions Office. It'll be 8-10 hours a week. It seems very easy going- I get to pick when I want to work, so that's nice :)

Ladies 6v6 Intramural volleyball starts next week so Amy and I are excited for that :)

Currently Amy and I are trying to deal with the lack of Laker games shown out here, we are missing our couches at home, the daily naps we had over break, the 10+ hours of sleep each night, cuddle time with Jesse, and our dear friends and family. What has been nice though, Saturday-Tuesday we were experiencing a normal CA winter... high 50s and 60s (pretty awesome!). But, yesterday we had severe wind and right now my weather says it feels like -3... I think real winter (like the real deal) is coming... yikesers! Yeah Amy and I have no idea what's coming.

Here are a few of my favorite facebook posts friends have posted since being back at school:

"Even though sometimes I feel like I don't belong here God keeps giving me signs that I am supposed to be I'm Nebraska"
"48 points?? Dudes a beast, nuff said:]]"
"So I think all you locals Lied to me when you were telling me horror stories of snow and wind during the winter. To be honest, this is more like weather back home ;)"
"is just enjoying some time with my sweet nephew Kyler! :) Oh I love being an aunt!"
"dearest nebraska, your freezing temperatures and severe wind make my hands, legs, and face hurt............"
"so Tebow. 316 Yards Passing. 3.16 Yards Per Carry. John 3:16. Divine intervention much?"
"STOP SNOWING RIGHT NOW!!!!!!"


Well, that's all for now... we'll try to update the blog more often this semester :) Miss you California! Miss you even more Jon, Jen, Mom, and Dad!

AMY HERE! :)

Amy here!! Anna told me it was my turn to update the blog…and it’s been awhile since our last post, so here we go!!!

Amy & Anna

Anna says hi :) 

After a stressful finals week at school, we were happy with the way our grades turned out. Anna earned straight As and I got all As and 1 B. And the B was in New Testament. As Jon says, Concordia does not take religion lightly…(he got a B in that class too) haha.

We are still SO happy at CUNE and are so thankful with the friends and professors God has placed into our lives us. We know that we are at the right place. 

After finals we stayed with friends for a night in Omaha and flew home on Friday the 16th. We arrived to a beautiful, sunny & yet very windy SoCal day. We got off the plane and went into a little bit of a culture shock—didn’t get that when we came home for Thanksgiving, but definitely got it this time. Lots more people, lots more cars, and quite a different fashion scene haha.

We surprised Jen & Dad at Concordia University-Irvine with In-N-Out for lunch. Jen works in the admissions office at CUI & her boss told Anna and I that when we decide to transfer to CUI we need to call him. So we told him HAHA…yeah right :).

That night we went to a Jazz Christmas Concert at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center with The Essweins—can you say awesome?! The music was fantastic!

A few days later we went to our friends house for an ugly Christmas sweater party…that was fun to see all of our friends! And here is a shout out to the girls who made homemade sweaters—Mallory, Alicia and Katelyn—you ladies put us all to shame. Well done. :)

Sorry about the awkward glow on these pictures....my camera was on the candlelight setting :/

Scott & Mallory

Anna, Scott, & Amy

Andrew & Mallory

Christmas Eve was amazing as always…our family’s tradition for Christmas Eve begins with eating soup & pop’s cinnamon rolls and then we open a few presents. Then mom is off to play for church service 1 and 2. In the meantime, the 5 of us watch a movie or two and drink hot cocoa. Then mom comes back from the second Christmas Eve service and we open up the rest of the presents. Mom always wins the prize of having the most gifts…we all say it’s because people love her the most! We sure do <3.  Then the whole family goes to the 11pm candlelight Christmas Eve service. Our whole family actually rang handbells in the alumni handbell group—that was fun—especially with mom directing. Then by the time we get home on Christmas Eve it is actually about 30 minutes into Christmas Day! The fam all gathers around the tree in the family room and sips coca & baileys and munch on Esswein toffee until we are all too tired to stay awake any longer.

Jon, Anna, Amy, & Jen

Then Christmas morning comes shortly after and the family opens up Santa’s gifts and then is off to Christmas Day church.

After church, we come home and begin cooking the feast. While cooking we got to cheer on our LAKERS!! Too bad they lost :(. BUT they have been doing pretty well since then. Anna gets a kick out of giving our college buddies a hard time about their teams when they loose. Here’s a shout out to Mason Carey… your Mavs beat the Suns!!

Anna, Jen, and Amy
OPENING DAY!

It’s so fun finding out who everyone cheers for… smh at all you bandwagoners.

Then a few days after Christmas, we were visited by our cousins, Tim & Melina. Always a good time with the Fischers—they are the kind of cousins you just click  with…you know?

Then that night we got to go to our family cooking class! So much fun!! Mom was dancing in the kitchen (and that was before the drinking started!), Jen was making friends with “green shirt”, and Anna was getting comfy in the kitchen. I feel bad, but there isn’t anything particularly special or funny to say about Jon, Dad, and I—We simply did what we were told & had a lot of fun doing it :).

Amy & Anna

Chef Larry & his favorite cooking team ;)

On December 29^th, Mom & Dad celebrated their 27^th wedding anniversary!!!! Such great examples for us kids. They are the best mom and dad anyone could ever ask for.

Mom & Dad

We like pointing out to them that they were Jon’s age when they had Jon haha! They don’t think that is too funny.

January has given us a weird, warm winter, so we are soaking it up! We went to the beach a few times but never went in the water…It has to be a very hot day in July or August for me to do that!

b-e-a-utiful!

this was before noon...crazy!

There has been some tears and sharing of memories while remembering Grandpa Schroeder and the first anniversary of his death on January 4^th. Seems like death has been a theme for lots of our friends lately… doesn’t seem to get any easier, and although we know they are in a better place, it’s still hard.

I’ve started the January Photo-A-Day challenge… it has been really fun so far! Some are trickier than others, so we’ll see how creative I get in the days to come :). I’ll run it by Anna, but maybe I’ll post that on this blog too.

I’m looking forward to going back to school & seeing my friends but not ready to leave the family and our life here.

Seeing friends is always a reminder to be thankful for the time we have together 

and that life goes on without us… it’s hard to not be there for our high school senior friends—it’s such a big year for them and we aren’t there to cheer them on at their games or just there to listen to them when they need to talk.

And then some friends just change….some grow…. and some are in new relationships….

things are just a tad different from how they were when we left.

We have lost track of how many times we have Skyped with Concorida friends over break….so that can’t be a bad thing!

Google+ ing with Adam, Armani & Brittany :) 

Time to start packing, buy books & saddle up for next semester!! Crazy how time flies…before you know it, it’ll be summer and we will be cruising around the Caribbean!

Happy New Year everyone! Love you all!

Peace,

Amy