Nationball: Dodgeball on Steroids

In my last post, I shared a little bit of the stresses of my job. Those overwhelming 80's themed trips to the local roller skate rink just stress me out! (dripping...dripping with sarcasm)

So what is it that keeps G from sleeping at night? If you thought 80's roller skating was bad, this is almost unbearable. :)

Every year, near the middle of September, when students are still getting settled into their dorms and familiar with their new class schedules, there is an event that makes all else jump one number down on the priority list. All inhibitions are thrown out the window. All worry of making a good impression? Tossed. Costumes are mandatory, throwing arms a must, and music is blaring as students line up, dorm against dorm, in the biggest dodgeball tournament most have ever seen.

It's crazy.

Stewart (our dorm) is in the red. 

Yes, we consider each one of those red-wearing t-shirts one of our kids. 

We don't start at the infant stage. 

We start at the 18 year old, what's your name again?, really loud college stage. 

They're pretty cool. 

This is Stewart (red) taking on Horton (black). 

There is really hardly any room left to play dodgeball. 

There's a lot of dancing, costume strutting, goofing going on. :) 

One rule that they hold to that I've never seen before is that once you get knocked out, you can still actually play. You can run to the back of the other team, get your team to throw the balls over their heads, and then get them out from the other side. So near the end of the game, 

you've got dodge balls flying at you from all angles. 

A good shot of most of the colors. 

Here are more pictures, with lots of the costumes highlighted. 

Nationball Album 1

Nationball Album 2

And finally, here's a video made by one of the students: 

http://vimeo.com/29180877

It highlights Horton, but shows a lot of the crazy that goes on. 

You'll notice some "rescuing" near the middle of the film. 

The green team is Emerson, a smaller dorm that usually doesn't have a chance at winning so they make it theatrical. This year they were dressed as doctors and nurses and were putting band-aids on the fallen and doing shock treatment on the "mortally wounded". Clever. :) 

There's always something going on around campus. 

Keeps us young, I guess. :) 

We love it. 

The 80's & Overly Edited Photos

Sometimes...sooooometimes...I get a little convicted about only posting really polished pictures or writing blogs about successful projects. Why? Because only about 1.8% of my life feels polished, or super successful.

It feels chaotic.

Here's to the 98.2% of my life that makes up the ridiculous, not acting like a 28 year old portion of which I wouldn't change a thing. (Except in those moments where I wish I had a successfully run etsy shop, a thriving photography business, and a morning routine that included a small town cafe where the waitress knew my name and never had to ask what I wanted to eat...an omelet, a cup of coffee and some toast with blueberry jam, thank you!)

A weekend of Student Ambassador Training.

Lots of crazy kids.

An 80's themed trip to the local skating rink.

A salvaged thrift store dress.

A couple of very dramatic side pony tails.

Dance-skating.

Epic.

Thanks, Biola kids students, for letting me hang out with you and not making me your late 20's supervisors feel like the old fogies. :) Even though only one or two of you were ACTUALLY alive in the 80's...and it was like (like) 1989 and a half.

Labor Day Tradition

As far as holiday tradition goes, Garrett and I don't have much that we do the same each year. We've spent a Christmas in Colorado with friends, a Christmas by ourselves in Utah, and a Christmas back home with family. I feel like every year we're asking ourselves what we're going to do, 'cause it's never been the same. 

But there's one holiday that we automatically know what we're gonna do. No question about it. 

Labor Day. 

For the past four years, we've driven the long road North to Brad & Sharon's in Calistoga. (Brad is one of Garrett's older brothers) They have two girls that we adore, and they live in a small town where the pace is slower. All the locals know each other, and they know who the tourists are, so we usually get asked where we're from. The weekend is always so relaxing, a nice break from the much more crowded Southern California. It's a place riding bikes to the store, or to a bakery in the morning for fresh coffee and quiche is the norm. On our way in to town this year, as we rode behind Brad, Sharon and the girls on their bikes, Garrett and I looked at each other and said, "We've got to live in a small town." We love it. It feels so very right. 

In the summer months, May through October, there is a local farmer's market in town where townies bring their delicious foods, crafts, flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables (the list goes on) to a parking lot where they set up canopies and sell these delights to the crowds that gather. There's usually music playing in the background, and it's so fun to walk around with our four year old niece, who takes her money to the tamale tent and orders up her regular. She knows so many people in town, and they all smile at her and say "Good morning, Monica!" as she makes her way around the temporary thoroughfare. We enjoyed some tri-tip kabobs, a tomato/mozzarella/basil/oil salad, and blackberry pie. 

Brad, who owns the town's bike shop, usually stays pretty busy while we're there, as Labor Day is a great weekend for business. He does sneak away as much as he can to join us for whatever little adventure we're doing. This year we spent a couple of afternoons at the pool, where Monica has become quite the little swimmer. She's jumping off the diving board now, with no floaties, swimming to the edge of the pool, climbing out and doing it all over again. 

We also always come knowing that we're going to eat some very good food. This year we had all kinds of stuff, from tuna steaks and delicious salads, to gourmet burgers and sweet potato fries, broccoli salad, grilled pizzas, guacamole, corn on the cob, and many more mouth watering treats. For dessert, Brad whipped up a delicious strawberry/blackberry topping for vanilla ice cream that I just couldn't get enough of. So good. 

The drive is long at 7-10 hours (depending on traffic), but it's so very worth it. The company is great, we always get lots of good time outside, biking or hiking, running or walking around town. And it's just nice to be with family, even if it's a quick trip. 

Here are some pictures from the weekend. So fun. 

Vineyards in Napa Valley. It's beautiful this time of year. The grapes are almost ready to go! 

A castle at one of the vineyards! 

Uncle G throwing Mo in to the air! :)

Makin' silly faces with Myka and Monica

Sweet girls. 

Mykie was a little wary of Uncle G at first, but when she discovered that he was the only one who could teach her how to shell peanuts (we all pretended we didn't know), she eventually warmed up to him and ended up sitting on his lap the last day we were there! Win! We think the beard throws her off.

Already lookin' forward to our next trip up! :)

California Pet Peeve #1- Shopping Carts

I wish little stuff like this didn't bother me. 

I wish it didn't. 

But ooooooh, does it ever. 

Shopping carts.

Everywhere.

Everywhere, except in their little designated shopping cart holders. 

I swear, this only happens in California. 

Dear Californians, 

Did you know that in every other part of the country, people put away their shopping carts??

Guess what would happen if you tried it? 

1. There would be MORE parking spots to actually park in! Fascinating! 

2. There would be less carts rolling around free nilly all the time (Yes, I just said free nilly)

3. There would be less dents in cars. Garrett and I have stopped two rapidly moving 

carts from crashing into vehicles. You're welcome.

Maraya's pretty disgusted, too! 

Come on people!

Put your carts away! 

Last Event and Yogurt Galore!

Today was deeee-lightful!
De-LIGHT-ful!
De-light-FUL!

Today started early and a little panicky, as most event mornings do.
There were balloons, registration sheets, extra student nametags, all topped with a dollop of stress.
And, as most events go, once the check-in table was set up and the first person checked in, it was all downhill from there.

Events have this weird, and extremely consistent way of building, building, building, building...
Lots of preparation...
And then the first person checks in and it's like you're on a roller coaster ride from there. You can't stop it. It's gonna happen whether you're ready for it or not. So you go with it and it's seriously the best part of my job (besides all the great people I work with). Event days are just electric. It's go time, and everything you've prepared for is being put to the test. Totally exhilarating.

The year has been long. The fall season started off a little differently than expected. My coworker/boss left right before the school season started in August. We weren't able to hire someone else for her position until the first of December so all of Fall was just filling in where she used to be. The rest of the year has felt some of those effects, just like a big game of catch up. To finally make it to the end of the year and know that in three months we're going to start this whole thing over again with a clean slate is so refreshing. I get another shot to do my job better. That's pretty exciting.

I had a great event team this year, girls that I couldn't do any of this without. They call me Captain, but this boat would sink without them. :) Once we finished cleaning up from the event today, we headed to Berry Cool to celebrate. For those of you that aren't familiar with California, they love their frozen yogurt. There are so many different frozen yogurt places out here. Yogurtland, Joghurt, Golden Spoon, Pink Berry, Berry Fresh, Berry Cool...the list goes on and on. There's seriously a frozen yogurt place on every corner. And most of them are serve yourself. You pick up your cup, walk through the flavor line where there are usually 10-12 flavors, and then add as many toppings as you want, from fruit to chocolate, to gummy bears. Then they determine the price based on how much your container weighs. It's seriously awesome.

Clockwise from Left: 

Michelle, Maraya, Beth, Heather

Biola Admissions Events: Michelle, Maraya, me and Heather

You girls are the best. Seriously. 

Thanks for filling my days with laughter and for constantly being such a source of joy. 

You are all so amazing. 

What a team. :) 

Burger Joint Run Down

Mr. Suhr has a favorite food. 

Burgers. 

Any kind. 

Put a big, delicious steak in front of him and he'll choose a burger every time. 

We're always trying to find the next best burger. 

Some of our favorite places recently (out here on the West Coast) are: 

The Counter. Located in Irvine (there are more than one), this is a great little place 

where you get an awesome menu and get to pick your own toppings. 

And there are LOTS to choose from.

They say they are "the 21st Century's bold answer to the classic burger joint."

Here's a sample of the menu: 

And here's what a typical Counter burger looks like. 

Massive. 

With the ability to pile on the toppings, these things just keep growing.

This was Garrett's from last time we were there. It's a 3/4 pound lamb burger, corn and black bean salsa, pepperocinis, onion straws, caramelized onions, and fresh mozzarella on a soft pretzel bun. 

My favorite combo is something like the chicken, with jalapeño jack cheese, organic mixed greens, roasted corn & black bean salsa, housemade guacamole, sun dried tomatoes, 

and roasted garlic aioli sauce, all on a multi-grain bun. 

So good. 

Another burger place we recently went to with one of Garrett's RA's, Nathan, and his fiance, Jessica was a place in Santa Monica called Umami Burger. 

Their claim to fame is that they have created the fifth taste. 

The first four tastes are sweet, sour, salt and bitter. 

The fifth, Umami, can be simply described as savory. 

More information on it can be found here. :) 

Our Umami experience was definitely a repeater. We will be back. :)

Burgers, smushed potatoes, onion rings, sweet potato fries, and shoestring fries. 

Garrett and I split an Umami Burger, which had all kinds of crazy stuff on it. Apparently, the idea is that all the different flavors give it one unique taste that is super complimentary. 

We also split the Port and Stilton Burger. 

The burgers even have a U stamped on top! Neat-o!

One of Mr. Suhr's current RA's and his fiance, Nathan & Jessica. 

3 out of the 4 of us started off ordering water until the waiter told us that all proceeds from the bottled root beer went directly to an animal shelter. Jessica and I are all about saving the animals. :) 

All four of us ended up with root beer. 

Last, but most certainly not least....the burger of all time. 

I know without a doubt that I have found my perfect burger. 

I ate it one night at a teeny tiny place called Father's Office. 

(The website, unlike the burger, leaves much to be desired.)
This little establishment is in Santa Monica and holds maybe a total of 35 people inside. 

It's not big at all, and you really have to fight through the crowds 

to get to the counter where you place your order. 

There is one burger on the menu, and you can't make any substitutions. 

Luckily, you don't need to. It's seriously that good. 

It was on a soft, wheat & grain roll, it was perfectly cooked to a nice medium rare, and it had a blue cheese spread, carmelized onions, and fresh baby spinach. Sounds simple enough, but I can't tell you how good this burger was. Served with a side of garlic shoestring fries.

 I seriously could eat one of these on a very regular basis. 

And though this post may not show it, I'm not that much of a burger girl. 

I am, however, a little hungry...

This may have been the longest I have ever thought about the subject of burgers...ever. 

I'm sure Garrett could say otherwise. :) 

To do: Paddleboarding- Check!

Every year or so, :), we do an adventurous outing with another one of the RD couples on campus. 

I think in our heart of hearts we intend to go more often. 

'Cause every time we go, it is a stinkin' fun time. 

The Powells like to show us around their favorite California places. 

Last time it was snowshoeing. 

This time, it was paddleboarding in Long Beach! 

It was the four of us, and the Rae's, our next door dorm neighbors. :) 

We got a quick lesson from Mr. Powell, and before we knew it, 

we were testing our skills, or lack thereof. 

Go, Suhr, go! 

A little wobbly, but lots of fun!

Four paddleboards on top of a Honda Civic.

After circling the canal a couple of times, we worked up quite an appetite. 

We headed South to Seal Beach and put our names in at Beachwood Barbeque. 

What a FABULOUS place. 

It felt like good home Southern Cooking! 

BBQ Chicken, pulled pork, corn on the cob, cole slaw, corn bread...wowzers.  

And my FAVORITE part of the meal....

Fried Pickles!

So, so, so, so, so good. 

This is one of those appetizers where no one was being polite in 

making sure everyone else got their fair share. 

It was a fight to the finish! 

Delicious. Yum. 

Thank you, Powells! 

Olivers and Alleyways

Recently, some of the girls from the office and I went to Olive Garden, which, in my opinion, is always delicious. We had a great time and ate lots of...mmmmmm....de...de...de...licious food.

Afterwards, we had a photo shoot in the alleyway back to our car. *smirk* 

Couldn't help but post the photos. 

There's nothing better than pretending you're something' else. :)

Thanks for work detox night ladies.

I think they keep us all sane! :)

Cayucos Retreat

A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Suhr and I got to take his staff on their semesterly staff retreat. 

One of the girls on staff has a house that belongs to her family in Cayucos, CA. 

It was rainy and cold, but we had a great weekend, very relaxing, with lots of beautiful views! 

(The first five pictures were taken by me, with  my iPhone camera.) 

Hearst Castle

7 of the 9 on Garrett's Staff. :) 

(The last four pictures were taken by the kid in the middle of the above picture with the really cheesy smile)

This picture is not very nice. 

The last picture is absolutely my favorite. 

This little guy was looking for some food, I think. 

He was totally unafraid. 

Climbed right up on my lap. 

I was, obviously, delighted! 

:)

West Coast Mama

About two weeks ago now, Mama came out to California!

It was her first time on the West Coast. 

First time farther than Wisconsin. 

First time touching the Pacific Ocean.

First time at Chipotle.

First time to Disneyland.

First time on a roller coaster. 

First time eating beignets. 

First time assisting with an Admissions Event. 

First time in our apartment.

First time visiting our church. 

First time meeting our West Coast friends. 

Not her first time shopping. But lots of shopping was done. :) 

And hopefully, not her last time out to California. 

We had a blast. 

I love you, Mama.