A Family Tribute

Anyone who knows me knows that my family is really important to me and that my family has a lot of members! My mom's family is really close knit and we are all a larger part of each others' lives. The whole family lives in between Pasadena and Temecula with most of the family being in the San Dimas area. Out of the 12 cousins, 7 went to the same middle school and 6 to the same high school! I love my family and time I can spend with them.

With as large as our family is, we have some family members who have passed away and we miss very much. Thirteen years ago, my grandfather, Jose Valloza, Sr. passed away. I was thirteen years old and had never lost anyone before. I took his death extremely hard and still miss him everyday. Just hearing his name can bring tears to my eyes. He had such a sweet spirit and loved just being with his family. When I was a baby, my grandmother would babysit me when my Mom was at work. One week, she went to Mexico and so Grandpa stepped in! My mom and my grandma always tell me that everyday my Mom would come home and all I was wearing was a diaper and a tshirt with stains from everything I had eaten that day! I love knowing that as little as I was then, I had a week that it was just him and I. I remember playing in my grandparent's front yard with my cousins and hearing the ice cream truck. As soon as we heard that sound, we would all run to my grandpa because we knew he was ready with dollar bills so we could get ice cream. I always felt so much love from my grandfather and am so grateful for the years our family had with him.

Every year, my family gets together in October, near the anniversary of my grandfather's death to go to Catholic mass together that we have dedicated to him. In 2004, a week after we were together for mass, my Uncle Jose unexpectedly passed away. My uncle was such a great man and always looked out for all of his family members. He wanted us to all be safe and happy. When I was getting ready to move into the dorms at CSULB, Jose told me that he wanted to put a tracking device on my car and a camera in my room and link both to a website so that the whole family could know what I was doing! It was his way of trying to protect me and make sure that as the first one in the family to live in the dorms, I would be safe and taken care of. I have this great picture of him with my dad each holding their little chihuahua! It is my favorite picture of him! I miss my uncle so much and wish he was here, especially to meet his first grandchild, Jackson.

Scrapbooking has allowed me to do something that I can remember the both of them and keep pictures of them close to me. A family friend took a picture that had both my grandpa and uncle and photoshopped it so that it was just the two of them. I took that picture and had it on my graduation cap at my graduation from CSULB. I needed to have them near me on that day and know that they were a part of that special moment. I also took that picture and added it to my scrapbook. It is simply them in the picture.

In November of 2005, the whole family flew to New York for a memorial for my uncle Jose. He worked for AudioFox and they invited everyone in our family to this service. They have a rose garden with the names of employees who have passed on a plaques. It was such a great experience for all of us. Everyone at the company had such a great things to say about my uncle. I created this page to remember that day and the way my uncle is remembered.

We created such awesome memories on our trip to New York! There were so many of us that we had to take a charter bus around the city!

After such difficult seasons for the Valloza family, we thought that we were heading into a very happy year when 2010 started...2 engagements and a baby on the way! On April 10, 2010, my cousin Vanessa's 2 year old boy, Anthony passed away. To know that we had lost the youngest member of our family, hurt in such an awful way. As I grieved Anthony, I needed a way to remmeber his short life and to remember the brightest moments of his life. I knew that I needed to scrapbook pictures of Anthony to show his siblings, his parents and others that needed to know who Anthony was. He was such a funny, chubby little guy. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with him, but loved him so much.

When the picture below was taken, Anthony had gone with his mom to his brother Andrew's school the day of school pictures. Anthony decided that he wanted his picture taken, and got in line with the other kids! He just decided that he was old enough to have a school picture. It shows off his personality so much! He was such a funny, happy baby who loved his mom so much and his siblings! His big brother and him were never far from each other and he loved his older sisters! Those four kids are so adorable together and I couldn't resist dedicating a page to the four of them! We will always miss Anthony and miss seeing him grow up. He will always be in our hearts and memories.

I love my family and will always miss those who have gone before us. I am confident that they are sitting besides the Lord in heaven, watching over us and smiling. The three of them get to be together. My uncle and grandpa got to meet Anthony which brings a smile to my face.

Michelle's 10 things by the End of 2010 List!

Time to start writing again!!!



Life has gotten way to busy and I have ignored this blog since 2009...oops!!!


Over Memorial Day weekend, I went to Oregon to visit my very good friend Heather and that trip inspired me to write a list of 10 things I wanted to do by the end of 2010!!!



One of the items on the list was to start a blog about my scrapbooking and so here I am! I thought if I was going to blog about scrapbooking I might as well start blogging about some of the rest of the list! Here are a few things I am working on:

• Read all my Christian books


• Start a scrapbooking blog


• Run a 5K


• Spend a weekend being a California tourist


• Buy produce from a farmer's market


• Take a cake decorating class


• Find the right church for me

A few weeks ago I was on duty and made an action plan for myself so that I can really accomplish these things. I made the list in May and just started to really work on since I realized that the year is almost over!!!



I found a 5K I have decided to run! woo hoo!



Over Thanksgiving weekend, my hometown of San Dimas has a run in Bonelli Park so I am officially in training! I am not a girl that likes running so it has been a really great to challenge myself with a new activity.






Now this is a supposed to be a blog about my scrapbooking. It is something that I love doing and it gives me a creative way to remember special moments in my life. Living by myself has given me time to work on this project of mine. When my friend Becca has a craft night it gives me something to take and contribute! Scrapbooking has always given me a way to show my friends and family how much I care about them. My two favorite projects have been creating a scrapbook for my friend Danielle for her bridal shower last year. It was a collection of our two years of living together in college and it was so great to give her something to remember our years as roommates!









Last November my dear friend Melissa got married and she asked me to be one of her bridesmaids which I happily accepted! Then she asked if I would make her guest book for the wedding. It was such a happy project for me to create this for her and her now husband BJ. She gave me some great engagement pictures of the two of them and I created the guest book like a scrapbook for them.







Here are some samples from Danielle's scrapbook!
























I made her scrapbook a little smaller than I normally do. I used an 8inch by 8inch scrapbook and found some great paper to use. To finish her book, I made some additions for her when she was moving to Colorado with her husband. I was able to include pictures from her wedding and she loved it! The page above is one from her bridal shower with pink shower paper with cute stickers. Below is from her wedding. Of course we took a roommate picture and included her husband Jason! We always called him the 7th roommate!

I am working on a few different pages right now and have all my supplies ready!

Leaving on a jet plane

I am sitting in my office at work waiting for one of my RA's to arrive for our one on one. I just read my friend Hillary's blog and realized that I have forgotten about my own. I am one hour away from a crazy 5 hours of last minute shopping and packing because tomorrow I am getting on a plane and going to Seattle!!! Who knew I would enjoy that city so much??! My first trip was in May to visit the lovely Meli. I was estatic to discover that the NASPA Conference (NASPA is the national association for people in student affairs) was in Seattle. I will spend a few days with meli and then head to teh conference. WOO HOO for not having to do interviews!!! This year it is all about spending time with some of my favorite people from graduate school and getting to see 2 people who were my undergraduate interns when I was a graduate assistant begin their careers in student affairs!

This past weekend my roommates from college and I were finally all under the same room. It was such a joy and blessing to know that the 6 of us were together for the first time in 6 years. We witnessed Danielle and Jason finally become husband and wife! The girls and I moved in together around the time Danielle met Jason and have watched the relationship grow from the beginning. They are an amazing couple and I am lucky to have them as friends. The wedding was incredible, a time to laugh, take pictures and do what we do best - DANCE! so fun!

Pictures to come sooN!!!

5 month anniversary!

Woo hoo! Today marks my 5 month anniversary working at Chapman. My boss and I were trying to figure out if that meant anything special but it doesn't. 2 months ago I was able to start using vacation days and in 1 month I can use my tuition reimbusements. I am guessing that I do no want to be in classes any times soon!

Last week I got to go to Long Beach for 3 days! NASPA - the national organization for Student Affairs Professionals hosted their regional conference in Long Beach and since my previous advisor and mentor from CSULB - Ken Kelly was the host I had to go! It was so great to be back in the city that I love. As I drove into downtown Long Beach, I almost started to cry as I drove past my old house, where I used to work, restaurants that friends and I celebrated birthdays. There is no other place that holds so many memories for me. It is always emotional for me to go back there. Only time will tell if I live there again. At the conference I was able to reconnect with some of my fellow cohort members who are working full time as well and hear how their jobs are going. I was also able to see current 2nd years in the College Student Affairs program at APU and my professor Carol. They are all so wonderful and it was amazing to laugh with them at the conference.

This past weekend I had a few hours when I was really missing APU and everyone that I met there. As I drove back to Orange County from San Dimas, I was almost in tears. I realized how much everyone there touched and impacted my life. I am so blessed to have spent 2 years there and create those connections. Luckily at church Sunday evening I was able to see a few of my students from APU and it warmed my heart to spend just a few minutes with them.!

There are lots of changes happening within my life and work so it will be interesting to see how everything plays out over the next few weeks! I will keep you all updated! Much love!

4 months in

Being an Resident Director is probably the strangest job anyone could ever imagine. I live in a residence hall with 350 college students, i dont pay rent, i wear a pager when i am on duty, am up till 2 am when called to an incident, have staff meetings at night...such craziness! I enjoy it but is most definetely a challenge. My residents have been here for 2 months and from the sounds of it are enjoying college! It reminds me so much of my dorm experience and all the trouble we caused for our RAs! It makes me miss Long Beach with a passion! My heart also misses APU and the amazing community I had there. My RA's are a great group of students and I am enjoying getting to know them. I love living in Orange County and the life that I am creating here! I know I dont want to leave California but I think I am never going to leave the OC!

I started going back to RockHarbor Church when I moved down here. It has been a joy to return to a church that meant so much to me when I was in college. I have wanted to get involved but wasnt sure how. Over the last 2 weeks, I have strongly felt God's presence in my life, in a way that I haven't felt in 2 years. During my time at APU I struggled with my relationship with God and have prayed for the desire to spend more time with him and learn more about who He is. The prayer has finally been answered and I am so excited. God is guiding me and teaching me so much! Last weekend I went on the College Ascent as a leader and am praying about continuing to work with College Ministries at RockHarbor. God has also called me into a special 3 month season of my life. I know he wants me to stop expecting things but just be patient and hopeful. He wants to teach me alot over the next few months and allow me to grow closer to Him. I am excited and nervous to see what till come and how God will start 2009 for me. I know his plans are perfect and are right for me. I want to become the woman God has created me to be and this season is part of that journey. As my friends and family who are reading this blog, I ask that you join me in prayer over the next few months.

Here are some pictures!!!

A surprise party for the great Eileen!

Roomies at Melissa's Birthday!

Seeing Santana with the family!!!!!!

The family!!

Glass Hall Staff - in Costume!!

Macally got married!!!

moving on...new chapter...loving it

Its been a little over a month since I moved to Orange and I am loving it! It took a few carloads and a lot of help from my family, but I got all moved in. My apartment is set up and I truly feel like it is home. A lot has been happening since my first and only post. I spent time in Long Beach and watched some on my closest friends graduate. My little bro Jeff graduated with his bachelors degree. It was a joy to watch him watch across the stage. Jeff was one of the first freshmen I gave a tour to when I was an Orientation Leader at CSULB. We quickly became friends and then he asked me to be his big sis. I am so proud of him! My good friend Brandon recieved his Masters degree! I am so excited for him to step into this new chapter of his life...working full time! WOO HOO!





Right after graduation my friend Loren and I headed to LA for the Kenny Chesney concert and the next day got on a plane to visit our friend Meli in Seattle! We had such a great time with her exploring the city, trying different coffee shops, going to a baseball game, watching sex in the city, and just spending time with each other. it was a great way to spend the weekend and to prepare for moving to orange. Over the next few weeks I packed, shopped, finished up my job at the YMCA.












Now I am here! In Orange!!! My first day was all about meetings, met the staff and moved all my stuff in. My weeks have been spent setting up my place, my office and learning all I can about this new job and new university. So far, I am loving it. I work with some great people, and am so excited to meet my students in a matter of weeks! woo hoo!...my weekends have been filled with fun times with friends. I have been to both the Brad Paisley concert with my cousins and friends from San Dimas, Toby Keith concert with my cousin and friends from long beach, a dinner party at laurens in pasadena, night out in LA dancing, party hopping on the 4th of july.

Overall I am settling into my new life in Orange County. It is strange living by myself and having so much alone time, but I am beginning to really enjoy it. I love that my cousins, who also live alone are livng close by. Ive been spending alot of time with Ashley and Megan and it is always a joy to be with them. I truly feel this is where I am supposed to be. God has guided me to a great place where I can grow, learn and be challenged. I am so excited to rejoin the RockHarbor Church community> Being part of a church is something that I have been missing over the last 2 years. It will be great to be around other believers as I continue to transition to life here at Chapman and my first itme working full time. I am going to need alot of support as I learn a job that I have never done before. My friends Audrey and Brandon are there so that means I get to spend time with them which is wonderful! I know that I need to be spending more time with God and investing in my relationship with Him. He wants to do work in my life and I have to let Him do it as I let go of control. I love my God and want my life to reflect that. For whatever reason, that has been difficult for me over the last 2 years and now it is time to focus on Him. I ask for your prayers and love! Thank you for who all of you are in my life and how you add so much joy to it. I am so thankful for the friendships that God has sent my way and treasure my time with friends and family.

Resident Advisors will be here in about 2 weeks and studens will be here in less than a month...watch out for the stories to come!!!

I GOT A JOB and a blog

Most of you know that on May 3, 2008 I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with my Masters of Education in College Student Affairs. After two years, I'm finally done!!! About 2 weeks after graduation, I finally got that call that all graduates wait for...someone on the other line was offering ME a job! It was Chapman University, saying that they wanted me to be the newest Resident Director of Glass Hall and I accepted! It has been a long road to this point. I applied for my first full time position in December and now after 13 applications, 8 interviews and 5 months, I finally have a full time job!!! I expected to move around July 1, but now I will be moving on June 12 into my RD apartment on campus. I am so excited to begin this chapter of my life. My time at APU was well worth it. I learned so much about myself, my career, God and my friends. Being at APU for the last 2 years was probably one of the best moves that I have made and I am thankful for every experience and every one I have met. Thank you to my cohort, my co-workers, my staffs, my students and professors for everything that you have taught me, for loving me, and giving me the tools to move on. I will hopefully keep this blog updated with my stories from Chapman!