Life's Journey

Now what?

2011-08-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I didn't get to work on my app at all. I did get to spend time with my niece and had a nice lunch with her before she left for college. Now I have to decide if I want to purchase Photoshop in order to use the template for the iPhone app design, become a member of Apple's developer program and have the tools I need, pay someone else to complete the design, or go with what I have so far and start looking for a programmer. I need to do some research and find the most cost effective way to complete this. I'm still hopeful that it can be part of my Master's thesis project, so at least that gives me a reason to finish it soon. Anyone have experience with any of these options? Feel free to leave me a message/advice.

Starting an app from scratch

2011-08-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Wow! I didn't realize how long it had been since I blogged last. Well, it is summer after all...and I have been enjoying it. I hope you have too. With classes starting soon, and my niece leaving soon, I have been giving my iphone app lots of thought and will try to finish the design part of it on friday...yes, this friday!! Right after I get my new crown put on at the dentist. I thought I would blog about making this iPhone app from the beginning. This post has had a lot of readers so I thought I would detail the process that got my app going. First, I had an idea for an app that would make certain duties easier and possibly more efficient for teachers. I made a copy of an iPhone template and pasted 3 on a page (see photo). Then I began really thinking about how my app would work. For instance, what would the "home" screen look like, when I tap on this what happens? I began to draw it out. This step takes a lot of patience and thought. There are also templates (like these) you can use to make your sketches more exact (and better looking). After drawing out the entire app I enlisted the help of my niece who is a wiz at photoshop to help me design it. This requires downloading a free template with all the buttons, scrolly bars, etc. and using it with photoshop. We took each sketch and transformed it into an actual prototype (only the buttons don't work of course because that requires programming). So, this is the part I will, hopefully, finish this friday. Then I will hire a programmer (because I don't have time to learn how to do it myself) to make my app work. If you have an idea for an app why not give it a try.

Making progress...

2011-07-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

on the iPhone app! I spent 2 1/2 hours today with my niece Adrienne, who is a whiz at photoshop, working on my iPhone app design. It's so exciting to see it looking like it will when it's finished. I found out I have more drawing to do and we'll get together again next week working on the design. We're using this template which makes it a whole lot easier than designing your own buttons, etc. from scratch. I'm looking forward to having it programmed and having some of my teacher friends try it out. I think it's going to be really useful. More later...

Living with Apple

2011-06-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

I took some flack from some family members and a couple of friends when "changed sides" and went from "I'm a PC" to now "I'm a Mac". I haven't regretted my decision though. I was familiar with the Mac from using one at work (I taught myself) so when I couldn't stand my antivirus software slowing me down anymore, I caved and bought a MacBook Pro. I'm a student so I make good use of Pages, Keynote, and apps such as Evernote. I love to use Spaces when I'm writing a term or research paper. This enables me to have all my research articles open, Evernote, my paper, and Safari and I can easily move from one to the other. My Macbook hasn't let me down. It doesn't get hung up (unless I haven't shut it down in awhile), the battery life is way better, and (among many other features I like) I can use my other Apple gadgets, camera, and Kindle to coordinate with ease!
Last night was a perfect example of the frustration I do not miss, although it wasn't a pleasant experience for my poor hubby (who still uses a PC). He wanted to take photos from his iPhone and upload them to Facebook. He was uploading one at a time when I said "why don't you download them to your computer to Google's Picasa (which is what I use) or some photo viewing software and upload a whole album? It takes about 5 minutes". So, he plugged his iPhone into the PC and opened Picasa. I still don't understand why it didn't work, but for maybe an hour he tried to import, update, download, upload, you name it and several error messages later he gave up. In the mean time, I sat on the couch with my Macbook, plugged in my iPhone, imported my pictures to Picasa, selected the ones I wanted to upload to Facebook, and created an album, AND added tags and captions. While I wasn't dealing with his frustration, it was frustrating enough to hear about it.
Apple products are just smart, IMO. Since I have an iPhone, an iPod, and am currently in the process of designing an iPhone app for teachers, I prefer to use a Mac...it just works better!

Finding your passion

2011-05-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

Posted on a blog I subscribe to was an exercise in finding your passion. I found myself thinking about this and read through some of the comments and realized that we should all know what our passion is, what drives us, what is the one thing that creates enthusiasm in us and fills us with purpose? You can find this exercise here. Here are my answers:
The world's greatest need (according to me):
To know how much they truly matter to the One who created them in His image and sent His one and only Son to die for them.

My favorite movies:
The Sound of Music
It's a Wonderful Life
Anne of Green Gables

The common thread in these 3 movies is that one person can make a difference and each person's life truly matters.
How does this translate into my passion? One, by realizing the effect that my actions and attitudes have on those around me and trying to make a difference, especially in the lives of children. Two, by helping others to understand how much they matter in the lives of those around them.

Did you do the exercise? How do you define your passion?

My iPhone app progress

2011-04-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Well, since the initial drawings the app has been put on hold. I have tons of reading and writing to do and we're in the midst of tax season. I have been on the look out for a programmer and have almost completed my drawings. I'm looking forward to doing the designs on the computer so that I can "see" what the finished app will look like. The process so far hasn't taken me that much time. My estimate is about 2 1/2 hours drawing and about 2-3 hours of research. I did find a template that I printed out and it made sketching my initial idea alot easier. I would post a picture, but don't want to give away my idea yet. The work on the app will continue at the end of May when my semester is over.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls

2011-04-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

I may not have been blessed with my own daughters, but I am abundantly blessed with lots of nieces. I feel very close to each one and treasure every minute I get to spend with them. In the past week I got to spend some time with my 2 year old God-daughter, who is also a niece, and I was the recipient of three big hugs and lots of smiles. At the same time I had a good conversation with her mom, my grown up niece, about kids, school, and plans for a BBQ this summer. I also had several conversations via text message and Facebook with my far away niece who is finishing up her first year of college at MSU. I love hearing about her swing dancing, her life in the dorms, and her new boyfriend. I also got to take my high school niece to have her nails (fingers and toes) done for her junior prom. We had fun starting with our traditional Jamba Juice, then the mall, then the nail salon. The following day I got to fix her hair and do her makeup for the big night. I loved helping her get ready and seeing her and her friends off to the dance. I saw my littlest niece today at lunch and enjoyed sharing my banana with her as she sat on my lap. I look forward to spending time with her tomorrow, probably at the park, while her mommy and daddy go see a movie. My not-so-far away college going nieces in Monterey and San Francisco are busy with school and friends, but I try to keep in touch via Facebook. My middle school niece is enjoying my old laptop and working hard on her school work. So hard that I didn't get to see her last weekend because she was in school! I have been blessed with some of the best nieces around and I'm so thankful for each one of them. They bring much joy to my life (and keep me pretty busy too)! I love being your Aunt!♥

Addison

Alexandra

Julissa

Adrienne

Reyna

Patty & Julissa

Missy

Ashley

Homemade goodness

2011-01-30T19:06:00.000-08:00

A while back I came across this recipe and finally had some time to give it a try. I started yesterday getting the dough made and into the refridge. Then this afternoon I formed it into baguettes, let them rise a little, and baked them. While they baked, I enjoyed the yummy smell, the rain coming down, and a book I downloaded to my Kindle. Alex and I had to try a taste when they were done baking. We dipped a small piece in some olive oil and ...YUM! I was so glad they came out good. This recipe is quite simple so give it a try if you like to bake. We ate the rest of one baguette with our lasagna for dinner. It really was quite a treat!

Here we go again...

2011-01-25T22:00:00.000-08:00

I have thoroughly enjoyed having a month off from school while working at the tax office and watching my little niece, and of course enjoying family time through the holidays and then some. Well, tomorrow I begin semester number 2 of my grad. program. I'm taking two classes this semester; 1 in social policy and 1 in cognitive development. I have yet to purchase books or receive my parking permit in the mail, but other than that I think I'm ready. I love learning, and even if I don't feel like going to class, I'm always glad that I did. The discussions are most often lively and the subjects are interesting. It will be a busy semester I'm sure. We're getting busier at work already with tax season right around the corner. So here's to a good semester and when it's over I'll only have two more to go!

Un buen dÍa

2011-01-15T20:59:00.000-08:00

One of the best things about road trips are the talks I have with my husband. It takes us an hour and a half to get from our house to my mother-in-laws. We usually leave home in the morning, grab a Starbuck's coffee, and get on the freeway. Our conversation begins almost immediately and we talk about a variety of subjects. Usually the radio plays in the background, but we don't even notice. We reminisce, we make plans, we discuss our jobs, we chat about anything and everything. The hour and a half drive seems like 10 minutes when we arrive at his mom's. I treasure these outings because of the opportunity to connect with my husband and make memories with his family. His mom always prepares a wonderful Mexican lunch for us. She is in her 80s now, but still enjoys preparing food and sharing it with us. It brings us a lot of joy to eat it, too! Visiting with her and my sister-in-law is always a nice time. Today, after leaving her house, we stopped in to say hi to our niece and her kids and drop off some lemons that we brought from our lemon tree. The kids love to make glasses of lemonade. Our final stop was at my brother-in-laws where we enjoyed watching a football game, ate some homemade menudo (a delicious soup of hominy, tripe, cilantro, onions, and lemon) and tortillas, and watched his little 5 year old niece show us her dancing with Just Dance for the Wii. We decided to make one more stop at their local bakery for some pan dulce to bring home. The sun was just setting when we got on the road and the sky was blue, yellow, and red. So pretty and the perfect end to a wonderful day! Oh, I almost forgot...our niece, along with her mom and grandmother, made us two dozen tamales and homemade sauce to bring home...Yum!!

A new endeavor

2011-01-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I have these ideas to invent something just to find out that it's already been done. Such is the case with a "great" idea I had recently for a very useful iphone app for busy mom's or caregivers. There's already about a hundred out there ( ok, maybe 20). Anyway, as I was thinking about how to make work a bit easier for busy teachers of young children, I had another idea for an iphone app. I began researching how to go about developing an app and found some helpful information here and here. I am still working on drawing the markups, then I'll look for a designer and programmer. If you know anyone, let me know! I'm excited about the finished product being useful for people who work with small children, especially now since Apple's expanding it's iphone market. If you were in my BA cohort and have an iphone I'll be asking you to test this app for me and give feedback once it's complete. The most exciting thing about all of this is that I think I can use this as a project for my final thesis in my MA program! I'll have to check that out. I'll post more about the process of developing an app as I get farther along. Now, back to drawing...

From Cultured Code

An unwelcome guest

2011-01-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

I thought that going back to work would be kindof slow and boring this time of year since it's not quite tax season...I was wrong! The past two days have been busy. I have been ordering supplies, making appointments, updating everything, and cleaning my entire desk and work area! It's only Tuesday and I'm pooped! Cleaning must have rubbed off on my sister though. She started dusting her desk this afternoon and came out of her office screaming! The biggest spider had come out from under her keyboard. It was HUGE and so disgusting. I really don't like spiders, but I had to go take a look at this "tarantula" that was on her desk. The two guys in our office went in to see it too. One of the guys said he could see it way before he was even in her office. I peeked at it from the hallway. It sat there as one of the guys got some paper towels and, well, smushed it. The only other time I ever saw a spider that big (inside a building) was in China when I noticed a gigantic spider hanging out on the door ledge. I hope we don't have any more of those lurking about even if it was funny when my sister screamed and ran down the hall. I just knew she saw a spider!

Happy 2011!!!

2011-01-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, we had promised to take my mother-in-law to Phil's Fish Market for lunch. We decided that New Year's Eve day was a good time to go...so did everyone else. We had a great lunch of fish, calamari, chips, coleslaw, and clam chowder. She enjoyed it thoroughly. Afterward we walked out on the beach just behind Phil's. It was overcast but beautiful. I loved hearing the waves as they crashed up onto the shore. Later in the evening we joined my sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and their friends to ring in the New Year. We didn't quite make it. We went home early and watched the count down and fireworks on tv. I started out the New Year sleeping in then making breakfast for me and my honey. Now we're watching a little bit of the Rose Parade and a lot of football. I hope your New Year is off to a great start. May God bless you in the coming year with health, happiness, and love.

A Big Family Christmas

2010-12-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

This year we celebrated Christmas Eve by going to the 5pm service at church and then to my mom and stepdad's for a wonderful dinner and a gift swapping game. The game was a blast with alot of stealing going on. After several of my gifts were stolen, I ended up with a snuggie. It was my little niece's first Christmas and she seemed to love every minute of it. Early Christmas morning after opening some gifts with my husband and dropping the dogs off at the sitters, we drove to the mountain house with my sister and her family. We were greeted by my dad and stepmom, step brother and step sister and their families. There were 18 of us gathered there to celebrate the day. Some came from New York, Utah, Montana, Michigan, and California. We stayed for a couple of days playing in the snow, eating, playing Dutch Blitz (a fast moving and very fun card game), eating, talking, eating, another gift swapping game, eating, and more eating. On the drive home we stopped at the family's favorite meat market to stock up on tri-tip, jerkey, and some tasty marinated chicken. The time with family was special and will be cherished for always. My only complaint is that it just went by too fast!

Baby's First Christmas

Christmas Eve Feast

My three beautiful nieces

Living Christmas Tree at the Mountain House

Making garlands

Christmas dinner!

Proud Pop-pop

Beautiful Mountain Day

Baby's first snow!

Snow battle!!

Mountain sunrise

Family Christmas 2010

Oh Night Divine

2010-12-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas lunch celebration with my step-daughter. We enjoyed really good food, a festive atmosphere, and a time to give her some meaningful little treasures. This was the best time the three of us have had together in quite awhile! May God bless you with special times with loved ones this Christmas!

Our Christmas Home

2010-12-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a sampling of some of things we put out every year to make our home Christmassy.

Our Nativity set was given to us last year by my dad and stepmom.

The gingerbread house and snow people are some of my favorite PartyLite pieces I bought years ago from a good friend. They are both tealight holders.

One of my former daycare parents gave me this. I love unwrapping it every year.

This is the Lord's Chapel from Mitford (a fictional town that I wish I could visit).

Hubby's exotic tree...very colorful!

My Grammy made this tree for me. Don't you love those little mice?

Here's our tree, well most of it, and the card holder that my mom quilted for us.

She also quilted this Nativity wall hanging.

Some of our ornaments...we have the whole collection of It's A Wonderful Life buildings and ornaments.

This one is from Disney World.

The quilted card keeper from my mom.

Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Aaahhhh...the treats of Christmas!

2010-12-22T18:40:00.000-08:00

Today at work I was given some Godiva chocolates. I remember having a piece of Godiva some years ago in Seattle, I think. I'm usually a Hershey's, Ghirardelli, Dagoba, or even See's kinda gal. Anyway, it-was-so-good! Eventually I ate two more. I couldn't help it. It was melt-in-your-mouth goodness in a fancy gold box with brown ribbon and everything! Then, I came home and my husband brought some treats that he got at work. Some yummy cookies from Harry & David and some beautiful and oh-so-delicious chocolate covered strawberries from Shari's Berries. Okay, those were really, really good! Thankfully my boss didn't open the boxes of candies and cookies that our clients gave us...we'll save those for next year (which is not that far away).

Trying to slow down...

2010-12-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

at Christmastime is definitely challenging! There always seems to be so much to do and I want to do it all. I found myself last night looking at a Jan. issue of one of my subscription magazines. I never used to like getting the Jan. issues so early. I want to savor Christmas, not get ahead of myself. But last night I was enjoying the stripped down issue about putting away all of the clutter, organizing your home/life, and making plans for the Spring. I still want to savor the holidays, do everything with everyone that's festive and fun, but taking time to slow down and just enjoy looking through a magazine was nice. I took my time wrapping gifts this afternoon while listening to Peace on Earth. It was a nice, peaceful time.
Wishing you peace this Christmas!

Merry Christmas...Part 1

2010-12-18T22:57:00.000-08:00

Today we packed up all of the toys we I wrapped and went to my mother-in-laws. She made us a wonderful Mexican lunch; carne asada, rice, beans, and corn tortillas (all home made of course). We had a nice visit with her and my sister-in-law. From there we all decided to go to my niece's house and deliver the gifts for her 4 children. The youngest one, my God-daughter, saw on tv a bouncing baby doll. We got that for her and her face lit up when she unwrapped it! We watched that doll baby bounce and listened to it giggle for the next 2 hours! The boys loved their legos and immediately got busy putting them together. The oldest dreamed (outloud) about what she would buy with her Kohl's giftcard. It was a very happy afternoon. This evening we spent at my sister's house. My niece came home from college today for Christmas break. She turned 19 last Monday and we finally got to celebrate with her. The cupcakes that she and her sister made were quite yummy. We all had a fun time laughing and looking at old pictures. All in all, a very fine day!

My hubby's home!

2010-12-16T21:19:00.000-08:00

and he took me around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. We live near a neighborhood where almost everyone on every block has a small tree with lights in their yards. It's really beautiful driving through the streets, listening to Christmas music, and enjoying the lights...especially with my honey. I'm glad his business travels are done for a while.

This house is noisy!

2010-12-16T10:24:00.001-08:00

How come I heard every noise this house makes last night and usually I don't? Probably because I was here by myself. Hubby was on a business trip and I just don't sleep well when he's gone. Every little creek woke me up last night. I think I'll be taking a nap later. Gotta go get him at the airport...

In the Christmas mood

2010-12-15T23:17:00.000-08:00

I have really been enjoying this Christmas Tour of Homes found here. There are so many wonderful homes to see and lots of inspiration. If you haven't been out and about to see many decorations, like I haven't because I've been in writing papers for class, anyway...these will put you in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy!

Still here!

2010-12-15T21:08:00.000-08:00

Since I last wrote in this blog...I have been through, well, lots! The latest is that I have finished my 1st semester of grad school. I handed in my final paper tonight. Now I'll just wait to see how I did in my 3 classes and enjoy the break. I'm definitely looking forward to Christmas, seeing my niece when she gets home from college, and doing some things around the house that I have put off. It's too late to join the Christmas tour of homes that I've been enjoying, but I'll post some pics of our Christmas decorations just for the fun of it...and to look at after they've all been put away.

Remembering my blog

2009-09-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

Wow! I haven't visited this thing for a long time. Been spending my online time on FaceBook. Reading back over some old posts was cool though and I'm glad they're still here. So much has transpired since my last post. Good things, not so good things, hard things, sad things...you name it. After all, it's been over two years and life happens. I am very thankful and excited to report that I'm in my last year of studies at SJSU and well on my way to graduation next Spring! It has been a challenge of a lifetime and I believe it will be worth it because this degree will open doors for me to new adventures. Today I am helping my sister, studying, going to another first class meeting, and then spending time with my honey. A full and busy day... very good for me!

The New Year

2007-01-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

I’ve been back to work for two weeks and already have a three day weekend. I’m looking forward to it as getting back into the swing of things after my holiday break has been a bit rough. There’s so many things to get used to. Some of my kids have changed their schedules around and I need to remember who’s coming and who’s going. I think I’ll have it all straightened out by Feb. My husband started the new year with a new job! He loves it so far. My classes have started and I have homework again…due this weekend. I’m taking a keyboarding class, computer not music, and a writing workshop required for my BA. It was good to be back on Wed. evening and see all the girls again. I enjoy having classes with the same group of women each semester and I think by the time we’re all done it will have been an awesome experience for us. There are still plenty of women in my class I’d like to get to know and I’m sure I will in the next three years. Tonight is Adrienne’s school play and I am really looking forward to it. I just wish it wasn’t so cold outside. I don’t like going anywhere in this weather…tonight might be a record breaking 26 degrees. We’ll see.