Week 12 - The Final Countdown!!!

Yep, this was my last week in Cali. I can't believe it! Time has flown by and has been full of fun and joy and excitement. I miss it already, but I had a fantastic last week and wanted to write about it. So, here's what happened:

MONDAY
I went to the Boardwalk for the last time! I got to ride some awesome rides and hang out with Chatty Man and the Physicist and Physicist's sister. I got sick from going on so many spinny rides, but it was fun! The weather was perfect.

We were right on the beach for this tower ride. 

Me and Chatty Man on tower ride

the Hang-glider ride, awesome! 

TUESDAY
Tommy and Jen really wanted to take me to a Ramen place before I left. Apparently, in Japan, they eat Ramen all the time and they think it is delicious. Orenchi has fresh made noodles and you have to arrive at 11:00 to get your name on the list, then you come back at 11:30 to get your seat in the order in which you signed up. I was expecting to be blown out of the water by deliciousness. But, honestly, it just tasted Asian. The taste was so complex, I think I will have to become accustomed to it. I tried so hard to like it, and Tommy was so sad I didn't. It was my last time seeing Jen and it was fun to eat out with the both of them. They make me laugh. Check out the pics of my Ramen (with bamboo, pork, ramen noodles, Asian spices...) and tofu salad.

The line at 11:30...

Tofu Salad

the garlic chicken...the best part, but still not great.

And this is what happens after...

I invited Ella to go with me to institute and ditch our volleyball game. We had an interesting class, but the food before was awesome and everyone was super nice to Ella. I love bringing people to church events because the ward is so welcoming. Volleyball is what she came for and it was pretty fun! I told Baller he better come and it was fun to be with the old crew again. My team won every game. :) What a way to go home! Ella said she had a ton of fun and it was so great to see her get out of her shell and for everyone to reach out and be her friend. I was so grateful it went well. She said later that she would go back even if it was just for the people! What a testament of how good of an influence people can have on one person. Always reach out, it will never hurt.

Sadly, when we got home and Sue and Suh realized Ella was with me they started making jokes about how I was trying to make them all Mormon. Suh tried to give Ella her Book of Mormon, as well as Sue. I am sure they thought I couldn't hear their jests, but it hurt to hear what they actually thought or told each other they thought of the missionary lesson and discussion and my religion. Luckily, I think Ella didn't agree with what they were saying and left the conversation without much comment. Later Ella sent me a text thanking me for inviting her and how much fun she had. I was relieved to know that at least Ella hadn't let their words effect her and our friendship.

WEDNESDAY
I got to go to lunch with KA, Dad's cousin. It was fun to see her and chat with her. We went to a shop called Flower House or something...she had spinach pancakes on a salad and I had pulled pork sandwich. Both were pretty tasty and it was fun to chat with her. I was grateful for her kindness and the nice break from work. I had another lunch meeting following it with my mentee. I didn't stay long because I had meetings, but it was fun to see her for a bit.

THURSDAY
Work was insane! I was at my desk for maybe an hour total. I went to a meeting at 8:30 - 11:00. Then, I had presentations to do for anyone at eBay who came by my booth at the intern showcase. I had fun trying to describe to the engineers that I wasn't technical and that I had been learning a skill while being there. I talked to one man about how I was learning to recruit and how people can become more appealing to recruiters with their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. After the schpeel, he asked, soooo did you create an app for that? ...Engineers just thought all the interns were engineers...so funny! I talked to people for two hours at my booth and then went to lunch. I ate a ton because I was starving.

I was Booth 1 :)

Go Cougars!!!! 

I sat at my desk for a moment and then went to my going away party. I did my presentation to the team and then we had cheese, crackers, and chocolate decadence cake. It was sooooooo good and soooooo rich! I couldn't believe it. The cake was practically fudge. I felt so special and loved. A few of the people there asked where the wine was to go with the cheese and crackers. Tommy kindly said, we don't need it. I was so impressed that just because I didn't drink he made sure there wasn't any alcohol at my party. What respect.

All the delicious food and cheese!!!

My delicious cake! 

Following this I went to my mentee's showcase and saw her project and enjoyed seeing what young creative engineering minds come up with. It was a long day and I was so grateful by the time I got home to just lay on my bed. I finished up the night with an awesome conversation with Ella. I actually taught her about the Plan of Salvation and a little more about what we believe in. She has always asked the questions where did she come from, where is she going, and where will she go. I was so grateful for her questions and the opportunity to share with her what I believed.

My drawing.

FRIDAY
It was my last day at work. I was there later than expected to get everything done and close everything up that I could. It was difficult and sad to leave, but I was so grateful to have a team so sad to see me go. I had to turn in my badge and my computer and my phone. It was a weird feeling walking away. I walked alone too because Olympian and Koo both weren't coming home at the same time. Bitter sweet. I didn't wait long to start the party...

I went camping on the beach!!!! I went with Curly, Baller, and Surfer Boy to Sunset State Beach for camping. We also met a few other people there as well. We wanted to see the sunset, but it was foggy and couldn't see anything. Our campsite was super nice and right over the little hill from the beach. It was awesome! I got my own tent and enjoyed being in the outdoors. We told stories and laughed around the campfire until we were all too tired to talk.

SATURDAY
In the morning, we packed up and went down to the beach. It was a beautiful morning! Pretty foggy, but still nice. We started with skim boarding...which is very hard! You toss a light board along the water as it is receding back into the ocean and run and jump on the moving board and hope you keep moving with it. Baller was super good, but the rest of us struggled...me probably the most. I got a pretty good size tennis ball bump on my leg and decided it was time to stop. We continued to play sand soccer and Frisbee. It was exhausting and made us hot and sweaty so the freezing cold ocean felt great!

There were so many sand dollars! I couldn't believe it. I had to restrain myself and only take 5.

On our way home we went to a strawberry festival in Watsonville. There were different booths and homemade jewelry and trinkets of all sorts. We tried deep fried strawberries...we had to because it was a festival, but they were actually quite gross. I had a fresh strawberry smoothie to make up for it, and it was so good!

That night I watched Rise of the Guardians with Baller. It was a pretty good movie, some people rank it in their top movies. I would put it up there for Marvel, but not overall.

SUNDAY
Johnny from Cougarville came to town! He came to my house and went to church with me. It was so fun to see him. He will be starting work for PayPal in Austin soon and came into town for training. He is the person who put me in contact with my recruiter. I enjoyed having him and getting to catch up. It was sad to say goodbye after church.

I had Raclette with Chatty Man and Surfer Boy after church. You melt stinky French cheese and poor it over boiled potatoes and throw salami or different thin meats on top. I have such a hard time with the stinky cheese...It would have been super delicious with Cheddar or any other normal cheese. But, I was grateful for the French experience, and Chatty Man loved it because he served in France where they had it often.

That night, I threw a party at my house. I wanted to see my married friends again. I ended up invited an even number of girls and boys, but only one girl came and 15 or more boys! I didn't mind. I put out my delicious chocolate cake to be eaten and then Married Friend brought brownies. We played Pit, Nertz, Things, Uno, and a few other games. We were yelling and laughing for long periods of time. Just imagine 20 guys and two girls in an apartment playing competitive games...that's what it sounded like. It was a blast!

MONDAY
I packed up all morning and afternoon and went to lunch with Koo. It was so fun to see her again. We went to Sweet Mango and I got Mongolian beef which was delicious! Then, we went and got frozen custard from a nearby creamery in Willow Glen. You paid for the custard and toppings and the toppings were limitless. I should have chosen less, so I could have more ice cream than candy, but it was a delicious treat regardless.

My ice cream! 

Later that day Peru and her mom came and took me to the airport. It was a sad and weird feeling to check out of my apartment and know I wasn't coming back. I learned so much during the last 12 weeks about work, myself, people, and life in general. I feel so blessed. My plane took off in the evening and I was greeted in Utah by my lovely sister and her husband which opened a new door of adventures you'll hear about later.

Bye bye San Jose, it's been real! 

That's all folks! Thanks for reading. I am going to try to keep up the weekly posting (as you can see I'm already behind...), although it will soon get boring because it will consist of a lot of school.

Peace out.

-the tall girl