A Mother's Day Tribute to Doreen Pilialoha Baclayon

I have been blessed with great motherly influences in my life. But none with compensate for my birth mother, Doreen Pilialoha Baclayon.

May I briefly share a memorable experience that has touched my life these many years.

I was a Senior at Kamehameha Schools on O'ahu, Hawai'i. At this specific time in my life, I really wanted to be home with my family on Kaua'i, and not go to school on another island. I was dealing with mid-terms, the death of one of my dear friends and teacher from the Cook Islands, was in couseling because of Maine Tutai's death and just in a bad space.

I headed to Hale Ola, our infermary on campus, and was laying down on one of the beds in the back. I was there just a few minutes when the thought came to mind, "I wish my mom was here." No sooner had I thought those words, my mom walks through the door to where I was. "Mommy? Is that really you?" I was crying. My mom said she had a feeling that she needed to come to see me, so she hopped on the next flight to see me.

Even though my teen years were spent at a boarding school, away from my family, that moment will forever help me understand the principle of "Listening to the Spirit", and to act on our impressions. They call it "Mother's Inuition", I call it "Divine Intervention". The Lord couldn't be there to help me through that tough time, but He knew my Mother could.

Thanks mom for nearly 28 great years.

Much love,
Pili girl~

Service

I realized I've not put many pictures on here as of late. Hm... I'll have to remedy that. Anyway, here's a few pictures of some friends who did service last week for FHE.

Chris cutting grass with scissors. Yes, you read that right, with scissors!









Beth Walker cuttin' it up with scissors as well!












Bro. Bair trimming the trees:












Sharon and another young man moving the trimmin's to the burn pile:









A cute robin's egg we found:

Major Esplin & a hula hoop...

Today I was playing with two of Major Esplin's children here at work, and guess what happened? Major Esplin decided to join in! I know, I know... he's going to kill me, but whatever. Enjoy!

The Heart

So, question. Well, not really, but I just wanted to write a little something and kind of hope none of the family is reading this one. If you are... please don't bring this up.

When does anyone really realize when they've started to fall for someone? I had a talk with a friend of mine last night and she and I came to the conclusion, that sometimes we don't realize that somehow... people just sometimes crawl into your heart. Then when we notice that person is there... the question then turns to... how and when did he/she get in there? Sometimes that realization becomes shocking and then the wondering if you should take that person out or keep that person in. For me... it's the fear of the unknown. Thus my rambling.

The heart is funny.

ROTC back in action!!!

Yesterday was our first lab of the semester. I must say, it was quite fun.

This semester, since most of the other contracted cadets are off-track, the highest level of cadets around are the MS II's. Thus the squad leaders are Onken, Paz, Anderson and Sorenson. I don't remember what squad leader is assigned to the 2nd - 4th squads... however, I do know that Onken is SL for squad 1. (Obviously I know because I'm in his squad.) YEAH!

I've noticed that we have A LOT of females this semester. Honestly, I'm kind of excited. Us females won't be that out numbered and I'm sure we will strongly represent! ha ha ha... (We have three females in our squad: Maurer, Smith and me.)

Well, after learning Drill and Ceremony, we had a competition: Battleship. Oh my heck, it was hilarious and fun! Our squad rocked! Granted, we're not perfect, but at least killed everyone else. (I have to admit that winning sometimes is very very sweet.) =) When a squad was killed they had to report to the stage and do either: "front, back, go's", flutter-kicks, push-ups or squats, then we could return to our corner and try to go for another kill.

Then we played the D and C game in the respect that we all fell into our Platoon and Ngyuen conducted it. I was the last female standing with four other guys. =) What killed me and two of the guys, was doing an about face and then presenting arms. I totally forgot that I had to wait to go to "Attention" in order to present arms. DUH! Oh well. I still rocked it!

After the D and C games we did tactical movements. Onken put me as Alpha team leader and Kadie Smith as Bravo team leader. It was neat to see the new MS I's pick up really quick on what to do, what not to do, what the hand movements are, and what the abbreviations mean. Our 360 degree security was pretty amazing too. Our squad picked up really quick on things. A lot of fast learners.

Anyway, at the next lab, I'm going to see if I can get a picture of our squad and post it on here. I'm looking forward to another great semester.

P.S. Johnson came to lab - that was fun to see him. Carter came into our office... it's ALWAYS a pleasure to see Carter. Fahlmann came into the office too, right before lab. Seems like he's been really busy with work. Poor guy, I hope he can find a better job.

Here's to squad 1 kicking trash this semester! =) (I really shouldn't talk trash, but it's fun once in a while.)

Friends & Blessings

I do have to admit that friends can definitely be blessings.

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to go to a friend's home in Rigby. They were potty-training their son, and so I had flashbacks to when my brother's children were being potty-trained. I don't remember how many times I'd catch my nephews pulling down their diaper and marking their territory in the front room. Oh well! Happy to report, they eventually made it to the toilet and to this day, have a straight shooting in the John.

Point being, the Lord is aware of our needs and also the needs of our friends. I am blessed to have wonderful friends and to be one, too.

Another Great Day at BYU-Idaho!

Hello dearest friends....

Well, it's another semester here at BYU-Idaho! This past week, "Spring Break", ha ha ha.... was full of: work, work, work, and work. A bit hard on the spirit, when I longggggggged to be out and about, frolicking in the meadows or shooting guns at rabbits. (Did I just use "frolicking"?... wow... I haven't used that word in a long time!) ha ha ha

Anyway, it's the second day of the semester, and I'm already tired. No fun. However, such is life and you keep trudging through. In a few more days, I'll post what my goals are for 2009. You'll be pleasantly surprised to read what I have planned. It'll be AMAZING!

Okay. I'm done with my break and have to get back to the grind of things. Have a wonderful day!

USMC

Well, some of you may think that putting up a background of the United States Marine Corp eagle globe and anchor is unethical just because I'm biased towards the Army. On the contrary... my roots are USMC, and I thought I'd pay tribute to my father and brother who are Marines. (Once a Marine, always a Marine.) (Sorry K.B., I don't think there's a chance that the AF will ever be put up here.)

Anyway, goarmy.com!

Ha ha ha!

Mom's Reading the Blog...

Right now, my mom is reading my blog.

Hi Mom!

Okay... that's all.

Remember to turn in your taxes!

And... yeah. Happy early birthday to La'akea.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?

Well, wedding bells were in the air yesterday. (Not me... but two friends of mine.)

Yesterday was busy. I attended two sealings in the Rexburg Temple, back-to-back, same room and everything (that was weird), attended the Winter 2009 ROTC Commissioning Ceremony for BYU-Idaho, then went to a wedding reception where I got to play four of my songs. (I guess there were a few musical people there, and one guy gave me his business card and asked if I would sing on his album he's putting together. We'll see what happens.)

Funny thing is... (regarding one of the sealings) I kind of ended up being a sealing crasher. (It's a long story, and maybe one day I'll explain it all.)

Keeping in line with the theme... here are my "somethings" for the day:

Something old: I'm wearing an old pair of jeans that I've had since before my mission... nearly 6 years old. (whoa... da sad.)

Something new: I bought a "purple" camera today. My other camera broke at the last FTX in Utah. Amen for Sam's Club being so cheap... the camera cost me $90!!! I guess I can live with it... even if it is purple. (No offense Zelita.) =)

Something borrowed: I have a pen behind my ear that I've borrowed to play Sudoku with, while waiting to watch "Marley & Me" with my friends.

Something blue??? Now that's just strange! Um... but I guess my key chain that I have hooked around my belt loop will have to do. It's blue.