Summertime-warp

I blinked and suddenly June turned into July.

In truthfulness, though, it was probably the sheer amount of activity I had going on these past few months that resulted in the timewarp.

Three pies, two states, and a pack of azithromycn later,here we are at nearly the end of July and, in one weeks time, six months away from wedding day! I seriously can't believe it. While initially the thought gave me a jolt of panic, I must say that I am feeling relatively calm and extremely excited. Matt probably has a few other adjectives to add in there. My excitement has admittedly turned into me asking him, every other minute, about wedding stuff. After asking him for the millionth time about Save the Dates (currently at the printer!) he texted, "I was going to leave it as a surprise, but since you are a crazy person... " Touche.

Of the many things that made this month full, here are a few of the highlights.

1. Exciting changes at work!

I am now the assistant director of institutional philanthropy, in charge of foundation, corporation, and federal grants and the go-to for sponsored research. I have really enjoyed working with faculty members on research grant applications and look forward to increasing my level of involvement.

Because taking on federal grants is it's own beast, I was sent to a training workshop in June. My very first business trip at CMC was to Chicago and thus felt it was very appropriate that I returned to Chicago once more for the next step I am taking at Claremont McKenna. I even got to stay at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, the place I stayed on my very first trip to Chicago many moons ago. The week in Chicago left my head, belly, and heart very full.

[Nerding out at night, after the conference]

[Clockwise from top left: Navy Pier, Lou Malnati's classic deep dish, bone marrow at the Purple Pig, churro & chocolate at Rick Bayless's Xoco]

Looking forward to what's to come!

2. Bethie Crocker received her first professional order!

When my friend Veronica reached out to ask if Bethie Crocker was available for higher, I just about squealed. I grabbed my apron and went to town mixing, scooping, and baking for a baby shower with 100 guests. It was a tall order, but also a ton of fun. The rockabilly, pin-up theme could not have been more perfect. I channeled the five-and-dime and concocted chocolate malt and cherry vanilla cupcakes. I even tried my hand at a rose design on the cake for little Rosie Mae. Not bad for my first go!

In other baking news, I also made my first slab pie.

The picture speaks for the name. While it takes some ingenuity and patience to work your pie doe into a cookie sheet-shaped form, it was worth the extra effort. The pie feeds so many more mouths! This one was made especially for the Fourth of July, with fresh raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. God Bless America, indeed.

3. I have never been more empowered to Inspire the Woman, Impact the World.

[A sign? :)]

I had the tremendous honor and privilege of representing the Orange County Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta at the fraternity's 99th Convention. Held every two years, Convention took place at the home of other Happiest Place on Earth: Orlando, Florida. It was my first trip to the East Coast and one I will never forget. Convention is an experience that is really hard to put into words. Alpha Gamma Delta transformed the way I view myself. It has shaped the leader I am, the civically-engaged woman I continually aspire to be, and a proponent for inspiring women to reach farther and achieve more. Being in the room with more than 700 women who feel that same way and live by principles I too have adopted gives me chills. It has given me a renewed sense of empowerment and love for the work I do for the fraternity. It is so much more than four years. So much more.

I am now getting back into the swing of things, and trying to get better sleep after coming down with laryngitis right before my latest trip. Though I plan to stay in the state of California for the reasonable future, things are not slowing down. Tonight it's off to the grand opening of my wedding venue, tomorrow to a friend and sorority sister's bridal shower, and next week is the annual Baatz Girls Weekend! Cannot wait. Even as I apply the sunscreen and prep to hit the pools, I promise to keep on posting!

This is my promise: Bethie Crocker is back.