some of the new regime

Bonding at leadership retreat.

Picture taken on move in day during the Parent and Student welcome.

Me, super excited to be under the big white tent at 8am.

on the inside

This afternoon I, as well as the rest of the Associated Student Body government, had lunch with the administration of Vanguard. I felt privileged to share my heart with some of them, and talk about the future of VU, knowing that they will take what I say seriously and consider it when making plans and decisions. As a group of student leaders we are looking to the future, I hope everyone else catches on soon.

After we had a photo shoot at Teewinkle park (where else?) and one by one each person and group lined up to take their pictures. I began to realize that I am excited to work with each of these individuals. I could see each of their personalities come out as the camera clicked, and as each team got together I began to think of everything they will accomplish this year. As ASBg we have really bonded together, and as a part of student leadership as a whole we have become part of a team. I am excited for Vanguard this year.

-not part of the intended photo shoot, this just happens naturally.

learning to drive

"just get in the car.."

The 2007, black Acura TSX I have been riding around in most of the summer has grown on me. The first time I met her, we rode around the block, I was sort of impressed, "pretty nice" I thought. But since then, I've gotten to know her a bit better. Sort of like a friendship, when you take the time to learn quirks and acquire fun memories- if it is a natural friendship you may not even notice its happening until one day it hits you and you think, how did that happen?

"On the streets, windows down, on the freeway, windows up."

"I don't care what it is, as long as its hitting!"

Custom installed in the trunk of the car is the clutch ingredient. Not one, but two 12 inch subs are the catalyst for this driving experience. Sitting in the back, with the volume turned up to 38 my clothes and hair blow forward a bit. You can imagine what she sounds like cruising down the PCH, or up the 5 freeway toward Anaheim.

You can only drive this car after having proven yourself, and your driving skills. Its a trust thing I think, and once the trust has been established the keys are readily entrusted to friends. I have to say that driving the car puts a smile on my face every time. I'm learning to read her, to know the dimensions and what she is capable of. I feel privileged as someone who has earned this trust and love every new memory while driving. These memories define my group of friends- we turn the bass up as loud as it will go, roll down the windows, and dance the whole way.

letter home from utah

Dear Mom,

I'm in Utah this morning, the weather is nice here in the desert. I'm sitting in a tow truck and I can see my car in the rearview mirror. But don't worry, the driver, Jim, knows a guy who is going to help me out.

Oh, and I may need some money to fix this.

Love you,
Ash

shakespeare weekend part I

The Wooden O Symposium, Shakespeare Conference.

I left my house around 3 on Sunday, after I stopped to get some horchata, headed for Las Vegas and Amanda. I studied Shakespeare with Amanda (see picture on right) in Oxford and she presented a paper this week on "As You Like It". But anyways...

I headed out on the 15, horchata in my hand, sun on my back and Brave Saint Saturn playing as loud as it would go in my car. I had forgotten that California turns into desert outside of Orange County; Red rocks, sand and lots of sage and brush. I got to Amanda's house as the sun was setting, and the yellowy orange sunset was reflecting off the hills..

"And I believe, the sun also rises, lighting our paths and chasing the darkness away... so far away" - Reese Roper, (disc numero dos).

life as it happens

A few weeks ago I sort of just let myself fall into life completely. See I spent the majority of my summer worried about working, jobs, money, bills and rent. And a few weeks ago I just stopped worrying, and let myself resolve completely to dirt poor, and dirty.

I have a friend who has been teaching me a lot about life and how it works lately. He is your model ENFP, and for those of you who aren't familiar with the Myers/Briggs personality test this is your typical people person. Everywhere we go he knows someone or makes friends. He is your super active, hyper active, go go go extrovert. He is always doing something, and has no problem calling 20 people out of the blue to pull together an amazing event.He gets stuff done, knows what hes doing and has a tun of fun doing it. We listen to really loud, fun music in his car and he is a total source of joy in my life. It is because of his influence mostly that my last few weeks have been so incredibly....summer.

I get up early in the morning, most of the time with plans already set for the day. Coffee is a must, and from there the day just takes me and I go with whatever happens. I always have plans for lunch, for dinner and for after dinner. Beach days have been frequent and I must say my tan is the best it's ever been. We go out dancing, out to coffee at night and taco Tuesdays (dollar tacos!) happen almost every week. I have been gardening a lot, and I must say our garden is up to par. As much as I can I work, nannying, around the Orange County area and make almost enough money doing it. Eating at the Robecks and hanging out with the kids has been a highlight of my last few weeks. Those kids just won't stop growing!

While all this has been happening I find myself meeting new people and surrounding myself with friends who are just legitimate. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by a great group of people, who share a love for what I love. They are encouraging, fun, active, artistic people who have worked their way into my life. It was hard for me when most of my friends graduated in May this last school year, but now I am in no way worried about this next year. I live with 5 of the most amazing girls, down the street from 6 of the most amazing guys and so close to so many others!

These last few weeks of my summer have been completely unstructured, go with the flow weeks. I must say I am sad to see it end, but thrilled to see how things change and grow throughout this next semester. But for now I'm just going to keep doing what I do.

perfect morning

There were twelve people sleeping in our house last night. This morning we woke up and ate breakfast and coffee together. Bethany and Ryan came home from Africa last night after having been gone for a month. We pushed mine and Bethany's bed together and the three of us cuddled all night. This morning I am laying with four or five people in this huge bed listening to music, looking at Africa pictures and listening to music.

coffee and literature

This morning the soft coastal breeze is filling my room. The air is cool and smells like salt and it is one of the things I like most about our home. When we open the windows on both sides of the house the breeze whips through and out the other side. It cools our rooms and leaves the greatest salty ocean smell.

Authors I am choosing to study next semester for my Latin American Lit class:

Cristina Garcia -Cuban novelist
Pablo Neruda -Chilean poet
Gabriel Garcia Marquez -Colombian novel
Carlos Fuentes -Panamanian novel
Gabriela Mistral -Chilean poet
Rosario Ferre -Puerto Rican novelist
Jorge Luis Borges - Argentine poet
Claribel Alegria- comtemp. El Salvadoran poet

I am almost done with the syllabus. Which feels good, I am nervous though, that because I haven't ever studied these authors before that I may make a mistake in choosing one of them, or not choosing another.

today we conquered

"Ready when you are man" were the words that started this epic day of gardening. For days now we have been in preparation for this day. All the pieces are finally coming together. Perry and I rented a rototiller from Home Depot, well worth the cost of four hours. We also got a new weeding tool today and works like spoon works with ice cream. While Per skillfully handled the till I was hard at work moving the massive weed pile left from the last time we did a major weeding in there. I also helped keep the dirt wet and picked up the many weeds that were being tousled out of the soil. It was hard work. I must say that I came home after four hours pretty exhausted and knocked out on the living room floor for a while.

Things I've Learned From the Garden #1- Weeds are easy to take care of when they are small. Just a little time and effort and they come out almost effortlessly. I think its like a lot of problems in life. When you deal with them when they are small, problems can be quickly taken care of. Often these small dilemmas can be resolved with little effect to the rest of the community. I think it's why God tells us to "settle our arguments quickly", because when we do the least amount of damage is done. Little baby weeds however, can often be overlooked, because they are just that. Little. However if they aren't taken care of soon they become more deeply rooted and cause more pain and effort to get them out. Take care of the little weeds, while they are easy to manage.

homesick

A picture of me.

I recently told a friend that I think, in Oxford, I was able to be the truest me that there is. Aesthetically, I was surrounded by beauty constantly, and was able to capture it in art and poetry and writing. I met people who poured into me like I had never experienced before, and allowed me to be fully myself and loved just the same. So much of me is wrapped up in my academic work, and in Oxford I was pushed to my limit. There was success. I got to drink tea and coffee with the ones I love everyday. We talked, discovered each other and ourselves. I shared my love of art with people who actually wanted to learn from me. Everything I owned was in a backpack. I discovered my heritage there, walked in my passions there and explored cities by myself there.

I can not put into words what it feels like to stand alone in the national gallery and take in Monet with everything you own on your back.

The choir at St. Paul's still reverberates off the walls and through me.

I can walk cobblestone streets in Oxford, and smell the books written hundreds of years ago- still.

In this picture, I am wearing all of my own clothes. Something that rarely happens in Southern California as I share a house with four other girls who are the same size as I. In this picture I am taking pictures, something I have a passion for. In this picture I am wearing a p-coat that was given to me by my mom when I was 16 and I'm sure in the pocket is stone from her mother's grave. There was not a moment here that I was not truly happy. Tired, yes; stressed, sure; but always so content with every moment.