G'Day from Down Under - Day 1

We started our journey at DIA enjoying the moving sidewalks - that is letting the sidewalk take us past our gate as we posed for pictures!

2 hours and a 45 minute adjustment to the plane later we land in LA. We had completed 3K of our marathon. With passports in hand we board the 13.5 hour flight from LA to Sydney. Lydia, Dominique and I are on the right of the plan and mom and dad shared the seats in the middle of the plane with an older gentleman (poor guy - dad did not let him sleep much during the flight...too much to talk about!) As the plane took off Dad got a little hungry and decided to grab just about everything that he had stuffed his bag with from our fridge...he pulled out the ham, he pulled out the bread, he pulled out the apple, and he pulled out the carrot! Other than dad whipping out the ingredients for a ham sandwich the plane ride was relatively uneventful and we were thankful for that.

When we arrived in Sydney we had to disembark the plane, go through immigration and then head back onto the plane for the last leg of our trip to Melbourne. After immigration we took a mini detour on our way back to the gate and stopped in the SYD Tax and Duty Free shop. Since we all stunk of plane we enjoyed the isles of perfume sampling (Channel Spring Chance won our vote) and the Bailey’s sample woman treated Lydia to her first legal Australian drink – Bailey’s with a hint of mint chocolate. Our detour included Lydia getting to purchase her first alcoholic beverage as the drinking age in Australia is 18.

Finally back on the plane and 1 hour later we were at our final destination – Melbourne, Victoria. We figured out we had missed a day with the time change and had also spent a little more than 24 hours of total travel time (more than half of which was spent on planes). Pop (our grandfather on mom’s side), Nick (Mom’s brother and our uncle) and Teresa (Mom’s best friend and my Godmother) greeted us at the airport with huge hugs and kisses. Mom didn’t even recognize her father it has been so long since we have seen this side of the family.

Once in Glenroy (the town/suburb that Pop lives in), the streets and sights began to look familiar. Pop’s house had not changed a bit – every photo we saw on our last visit was in the exact same place – it was such a comfortable atmosphere to see pictures of my mom as a little Catholic school girl and our parents as a happy newlywed couple.

We were at the house at about 1pm and like magic I told my uncle I was starving and my mom’s confirmation sponsor and family friend walked in with pans of food – lasagna, chicken legs, stuffed mushrooms, tiramisu cake, and plenty to drink including Pop’s homemade black wine – the strong stuff! There was so much food we ended up spending the rest of the afternoon and evening eating with and entertaining old friends…by 9pm we had seen Teresa and her family (Flavio, her husband, Stefano, her 10-year-old-son, and Alessandra, her 14-year-old daughter), our uncle Nick, aunt Kathy and new cousin Nathan (Nathan is 7, but this was the first time that we have met him), Franca and her daughter Isabella (family friends and also Teresa’s sister and niece), and Maria (Mom’s friend from gradeschool). Not to mention that it’s now 3AM Colorado time. Goodnight for today!

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Words from a wise angel:

'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

This is a start to narrow down my New Year's resolution...I LOVE all of them!

Dawn of a Conflagration

CONFLAGRATION: A raging, destructive fire. Often used to describe a fire burning under extreme fire weather. The term is also used when a wildland fire burns into a wildland/urban interface, destroying many structures.

Dawn of a conflagration ... it's the theme for the Light of the World youth group, but after the disappointing news of the 2008 Presidential election and my pregnancy center training this morning, it just seemed fitting that maybe I am in the dawn of a raging, destructive, all consuming fire.

The youth group uses the saying as an analogy to the love that we should have for God - a love that burns anything in its way - holding nothing back from God's love and the power that love can have in our lives. And like any wild fire that burns the land, it is always from the death of the land that comes new life - bigger and better trees, brighter flowers, more foliage. But I'm a little stuck at the moment on the negative connotations of a fire...the destruction, the death, the evil, the power, the control of the fire and the fear of onlookers.

Today during training we were talking about STDs and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and the epidemic that runs silently along side teens. An epidemic or FIRE that is pure evil that came from a misuse of something purely good. I feel as though I am working at the pregnancy center to put out a fire that continues to burn...Not to mention the state of the economy, the issue of life, and the tremendous disappointment and heartfelt concern many citizens felt when John McCain was not slated as President-Elect.

These fires are only the external fires that I am facing. Tonight at ENCOUNTER I got some reminder that though we might have a new president come 2009 we are still under the Kingdom of God and that alone should give me HOPE! We are a people of hope - regardless of these conflagrations, Christ has already proven that GOOD will prevail in the end. The fire that burns will only bring about the new and better life in all of us. It is this hope that I will take into my weekend. We can never underestimate the power of the small work that we are doing.

Father John Bullock would agree with me:
"If we really want something, we find a way… period. It’s very easy to complain about the evils in society, but that does little good. While prayer is the most important means to combat evil, it is also true that God wants us to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Other groups are willing to make great sacrifices to see their religious, social and political programs become a reality. We must be willing to do the same. As he did with the apostles, Christ also sends us out to evangelize the world. As he told them, he tells us, “Take courage; I have conquered the world” (John 16:33)."

My attitude of being lazy and hopeless is doing even LESS to put out these fires out. Here's to putting on my firefighting gear and getting in the middle of the heat. And the GOOD news is when the fire is over, the new life begins!

A Lesson About the Boyfriend: Mary and Martha

Last night, while visiting my boyfriend, he brought some clothes out of the dryer and laid them on his bed. In an attempt to be a good girlfriend, I began folding the clothes much to his dismay. He was disappointed that I would rather fold clothes with him than spend time with him which was not the way I saw it at all. I thought that as a team we could spend time together and accomplish things. It was then that I realized, our different ideas of “spending time together” are much like the different ideas of Mary and Martha.

Jesus comes to visit the two sisters and Martha as a good host begins to fervently prepare food, clean up the house, and serve her friend that has just graced them with his presence. Mary does just the opposite; sitting at the feet of Jesus she listens to his stories, asks him questions and gives her full attention to her friend that has just graced them with his presence.

Martha sees Mary’s behavior as lazy and inappropriate because she is left to serve and prepare all by herself, so she confronts Jesus with her concern: “do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” My response was quite the same to my boyfriend last night: “Don’t you see that we can spend time together and get something done? Let me help you fold your laundry.”

And Jesus in his great patience actually disputes what Martha has asked of him: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part.” For only one thing is necessary when spending time with another person, to actually give them all of your attention, to listen to them, to share with them.

One Week Ago Today

From left to right. TOP: Karla, Jessie, Natalia, Erin

BOTTOM: Amy, Barbara, Leah and Alexa

One week ago today I was preparing to leave Colorado and enjoy the beautiful sun and beaches of Key Biscayne, FL. Well here I am and I love it...the weather is wonderful, the beach is beautiful - even though I've been suffering a burn for a few days, and the work is totally hard, but right up my alley.


My Condo-mates are fun! I have four of them. Auravelia is from Canada - she's my roommate...we enjoy late night talks and staying up till the wee hours of the night talking and commiserating. Her family's from Nicaragua, but she most recently lived in Canada - so she speaks English, Spanish and French. I feel like a giant around here because she's shorter than I am, but full of energy and praise for Pope Benedict (her favorite alive person). She reminds me of Shannon Wallace - full of zeal. :-)

In the room next to me, we have Amy and Karla. Karla's from Cancun, Mexico and speaks with a beautiful Mexican accent and makes all the guys heads turn. She's one of the most spiritual people that I know and has quite the devotion to the rosary that we have all started praying it every night before bed. Amy has an amazing sense of humor and we are both VERY sarcastic with each other! She's hilarious - by far the funniest person I've met from Nebraska, or maybe the only person I've met from Nebraska and I swear one day she will be writing and directing for SNL!

Alexa lives by herself and it's a good thing too because she's got enough shoes for everyone in the house...It's ok with me - I wear a size 8 too! She's the drama queen - not in the bad way. She is the actress of the house so her expressions are dynamic, her laugh is just as big as mine and she speaks her mind - good, bad or ugly! She's got great facial expressions (always a good photo face), big beautiful eyes that catches your attention when she talks and a passion for what she's doing. She reminds me of Katie Corder!

We've all adpoted using the phrase "hey bitches" - to be said in a high-pitched squeal...yes, mind you, we are all Catholic women!

I'm known around the house (and the office for that matter) as the Lindsay Lohan look alike - I don't see it, but each of the girls individually has told me I looked like her when I met them all separately - even the day interns and friends who have come over to the house have said there is some resemblance...this isn't even the first time that I've gotten this comment! The girls took photos tonight to show their friends that they "met Lindsay Lohan."

We had a Mexican fiesta last night with my famous taco salads. Monday night we enjoyed Sushi boats at Sean Wolfington's house (the executive produer). He lives in Cher's old house - literally with the ocean in his back yard!! The picture above is one that we took in his foyer...the paintings behind us were made by the assistant director of the Passion. VERY COOL!

Saying Goodbye

WOW - where do I begin? Thursday was my last day of work at Dance Trax - a bittersweet moment as I cleaned out my used-to-be-home office...I worked in that office everyday for the last year and two months and I don't even have a picture of it :-(

Friday was busy with errands and lunch dates and helping out a friend at the convention downtown.

Saturday I met Chef Robert Irvine from the Food Network's Dinner: Impossible. A very talkative, friendly fellow...don't worry none of the rumors are true. He was very inspirational and told me that life gives you opportunities only once and you need to take them because they don't come around again! (Ain't that the truth).

Then I was off to the Rockies game - yes we lost, yes it was cold and yes I did have fun with Cindy!!! Then it was off to meet up with Hudd and Kiki and Annie-bellie...we enjoyed my last night in Denver together and got to meet up with some old college hallmates, which was quite a treat if I do say so myself. Word to the wise - Maloney's has good music...GO GREASE LIGHTING, YOU'RE BURNING UP THE QUARTER MILE!

Sunday, I was paying for the night that I had on Saturday and definitely learning my lesson...don't drink the night before your parent's are throwing you an open house, especially when your sisters spend their entire morning listening to the orders of your frantic mother as she cleans the house. This, right here, is my public apology to my family, and especially my middle sister Lydia, for my selfishness on Saturday night and my immature behavior. My family was very supportive as they laughed while I couldn't keep anything down...it was a little nicer than I make it sound, but not by much - I was hurting.

The open house was lovely - thank you to all who came. We had a packed house and I enjoyed filling everyone in my adventure - or at least what I know about it - and having everyone write in my journal. It truly amazes me how supportive everyone is!

Sunday night was dinner at John Holly's with my close friends...I loved having everyone of them there. I did not get a picture with Shannon Wallace, so I have to mention her here. Check out the photos: Click Here.

I loved having all of my friends around one big table and I am so blessed to have all of these people in my life. Thank you for celebrating with me...PLUS I LOVE John Holly's food!



Monday was full of errands and appointments - I made dinner for the family as a Thank You and apology for Sunday morning...I think they accepted. Food was great - my usual: Chicken Parmesan (thank you Morgan), mashed potatoes (thank you Marshall), and broccoli (thank you Dominique)...and thanks to Dana for keeping me company while I cooked!


Finally, today was full of more errands and appointments and friends! I got to go to my Theology of the Body class with Welona - it's amazing! More to come about that in later posts - I can already tell this will be a huge thing in my life and I'm introducing it to more people. I was blessed with a little celebration after the class with some of my favorite people - I got to see Kirsten and Christina and Karen and Lisa...and new friends Billy and Todd joined us!


I am so absolutely grateful to all that I have seen and said goodbye to. I know it may or may not be a long goodbye, but regardless it has been great to know that so many people support me and are praying for me. God has truly filled my life with some of the most amazing people that I know.


Leaving still feels very surreal - I cannot imagine that I will not drive up my driveway again for a while...not enjoy the messiness of my jeep...not sit in my kitchen at the wee hours of the morning and write my blog. I will have new faces, new experience and new places to encounter, but as the old girl scout song goes:

Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver and the other's gold.
A circle's round. It has no end.
That's how long I'm going to be your
friend.

With that I'm off to pack - right it's 1:20am on the day that I leave and I'm still not packed...I'm not really worried about it. When I'm on the beaches of Key Biscayne, I'll write more. For now, pray for safe travels and patience!

Welcome :: My First Blog (not on the beach yet)

Hello, Hello...

Welcome to my blog. I've never done this before, but I thought it might be fun to keep a blog and make sure I was documenting this new adventure. It's called "Life's a Beach" - the blog, an I guess the adventure as well! Not only did I title it this because I'll be living on the beach, but also because it's one of my mom's favorite sayings and she might be the thing I miss most about Colorado ("My Baby's home" will no longer greet me as I walk in the door!)

So here's what I'm doing: I'll be moving from Denver, CO to Key Biscayne, FL (an island 10 minutes away from Miami) to work with the marketing staff (VP of Marketing, Film Producer and Graphic Designer and other interns) to promote the film Bella.

This "new chapter" of my life is going to be a bittersweet change. I have resigned my position at Dance Trax Entertainment as General Manager and gave up my position on the leadership board of the ISES Denver Chapter. I am sad to leave all the people that I have worked with and all the great progress that both our company and this organization will have in the next few years. I know that I have contributed to them and that my passions lie elsewhere, but I cannot help but wish they prosper in my absence.

I am VERY excited about the beach!!! I can't wait for the sun, the sand, the water, wearing flipflops and skirts and the beautiful bronze color that I hope to become! I think I'll even soliciate the help of a cute beach bum to teach me how to surf...what could be better?!?

Thanks for starting this journey with me and for your support as I make new friends, learn a new industry, and create a path for myself!

In Christ - natalia