Sunday, December 31, 2006

Today in Pictures...

Farmer's Market...so fun


A frappuccino at the ORIGINAL Starbucks.


Lunch: delicious...and rather sunny.


A man, feeding his pet possum. Yep, crazy.

Pictures from yesterday

Our feast: chicken, broccoli, garlic mashed potatoes, steak


Last night at dinner...a little under-dressed for Ruth's Chris.


The most amazing chocolate dessert ever

New Year's Eve

My mom has been waking up at 6:30am and making me wake up at 8 every day. She is always in a rush to start the morning...so yesterday, I asked her to please let me sleep in.

Today, she let me sleep in until 10:45! Hooray! It was wonderful...I had such a strange dream...very vivid...very upsetting...but I can't imagine that would be interesting to you.

Anyway, we laid around and watched Ghostbusters. (Bill Murray is so dang funny.) Then got ready and headed to Pike's Market. It was so fun! We watched the men toss fish back and forth...and yell to each other.

I had fish and chips, my mom had clam chowder in a bread bowl. Delicious!

Then we walked back toward the hotel, but decided to see a movie instead. We saw "A Night at the Museum". I enjoy Ben Stiller. He is somewhat the same character from movie to movie, but I still think he's pretty fun.

On the way back from the movies, we stopped for dinner. I had lobster...and chocolate cake...and some asparagus. YUM!

We ended dinner around 6:20 so we ran back to the theater to catch "The Holiday". It was very cute...I cried at a few parts...and it made me love London more than ever. Matt's on his way there, I'm SO jealous! (Matty, bring me back something good!)

Anyway, now we're back...and we're watching the Seinfeld marathon on TBS...and we'll ring in the New Year in style.

Happy 2007 Everyone!

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Down a size...

I just bought jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch...that are one size SMALLER than the ones I had on when I went in.

Eat it 18% body weight competitors.

So far today...

We had appointments this morning at Spa Noir. My mom had a massage and I had a facial.
During one of the many steps involved in facials, she put a lotion on my face that brought back such a strong memory of a scratch and sniff book I had as a kid.

Funny how scents can do that.

Another pointless memory from today:
When my brother was in Elementary School, his choir performed Grease. They had to change the words because, obviously, it is not super child-friendly...
My favorite alteration was from "Beauty School Dropout":

ORIGINAL LINE: "But no customer would go to you, unless she was a hooker"

THEIR VERSION: "But no customer would go to you, because your perm's a cooker!"

We are on our way back to Nordstrom...for lunch...and then we have a late dinner reservation at Ruth's Chris...neither of us have been there before.

Top Ten Things I Love About Matt Jensen

I missed my Top 10 List on Thursday...and Thursday was also Matt Jensen's birthday...
In honor of him, here is my late Top 10 list.


10. He remembers names, details and connections with anyone he's ever met
9. He loves to do nothing: watch TV, check blogs
8. He is a great traveler
7. He loves food (Chipotle, Ruby's, etc)
6. He is a great listener
5. He is an amazing graphic designer
4. He loves me...even when I'm crazy
3. He is great at resolving conflict
2. He is so thoughtful
1. He makes me laugh...so hard

Matt, have a great trip! I love you!

Friday, December 29, 2006

Oh, and I made a new friend today...

He's a Canadian Mounty...he loves to praise the Lord.

Miniature World Slideshow

We spent the day in Victoria, British Columbia...Miniature World was definitely the highlight! I even bought a souvenir poster...don't be too jealous, here are some pictures to help make you feel as though you were there with us!

My favorite was the diorama of Buckingham Palace.
My mom loved the circus...

If you look closely, you can see me in the church window.

**Note: Click on a picture to view the slide show up-close, or at your own pace.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

The 18% Body Weight Challenge

Josh Griffin, Matt Jensen, Tony Steward and I are competing to see who can lose 18% of his or her body weight the fastest. The winner will receive an indoor skydiving session paid for by the other 3 losers who will also pay for their own session.

I bought a little self-incentive today: a slightly expensive dress from White House Black Market...in a much-too-small-for-my-current-body size. This dress will hang in my room as a hopeful reminder of what is to come.

Here's a photo of my beautiful dress. Okay, so I couldn't find one...but trust me, when it fits, I'll post a photo of me in it!

Today in Pictures...

Lots of shopping at the #1 mall in the Seattle guidebook...

Followed by dinner at Ray's Boathouse...the only Seattle Restaurant in 1001 Places to See Before You Die...mostly for the view.


Here's the famous sign...


And here's my delicious dinner: mussels, calamari, giant prawns...YUM!


After dinner, we headed to the Space Needle. It was freezing on top...here's us...


Sleepless in Seattle is my favorite movie. Here's a shot of where Jonah and Sam Baldwin's houseboat was:


And, here's the photo I will submit as a "make a postcard" entry:

Airports, I spent a year there yesterday




We had a little chaos on our way to Seattle last night. We arrived at John Wayne at 2:15. Our flight was supposed to be at 3:50. At 3:45 they announced that the plane was running behind and we wouldn't leave until about 4:45. Which was no big deal, except that we had a 6:09 flight to catch in Oakland. The pilot of the 4:45 flight had to be new...it was a very bumpy ride and the descent seemed to last about an hour. We arrived in Oakland at 6:10. We had missed our flight...or so we thought.

As we disembarked, my mom asked the flight attendant what we should do...she told us not to worry because our 6:09 flight had been delayed. We wandered over to the gate to find that our 6:09 flight had become an 8:14 flight. We had a few burritos and used some $9.95 Internet...I wrote all of my Christmas Thank You cards.

We boarded at 7:55. We were supposed to be in Seattle at 8:30...not so much. We ended up in the airport at 11:30. We made it up to our room at 12:03pm.

The highlight of the day: a post on EURO TRIP BLOG...don't forget to check it out while they're gone.

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Christmas Gifts pt. 1

**Due to complaints from those pictured, this photo has been removed.**

A Spanish-language CD of a band called Allison. Me gusta la musica.

They will be mine...oh yes, they will be mine.

I Should Read the Paper

Pluto is no longer an official planet.

Our solar system now consists of 8 "classical planets" and 3 "dwarf planets" (of which Pluto is one).

Apparently this decision was made in August...I learned about it through People Magazine's Best and Worst of 2006. (Which will play a large role in my training for World Series of Pop Culture)

Christmases # 5 and 6

#5 Matt and I ran by my aunt and uncles to say M.C to everyone...we were a little early since both 5 and 6 began at 4...so we bolted in and out...but everyone was really nice and we did get to peek at my cousin's daughter who was taking a nap (she's so cute).

Off to the final party.

#6 Every year my mom's family (read: 5 nieces/nephews, 4 sisters, parents, grand-parents, in-laws, family-less friends, my brother and I--Matt was roped in last year) go to my Grandma and Grandpa's (Bum and Papa, respectively) for a huge Christmas. We made the switch to gift exchange 3 years ago, but no one liked it, so we're back to everyone buys for everyone...SO fun, but it does take a while. This year was really great: everyone buys really personal gifts. (For more detail, you can check out my mom's post.) Even Matt bought for everyone this year and, in my opinion, his were some of the most thoughtful gifts given. My aunt Leesa and her family couldn't make it down from San Francisco, but they sent gifts...and we all stacked hers in the corner for her next visit (New Year's).

It was a great Christmas this year...

Monday, December 25, 2006

Christmases #2, 3, and 4

So, I missed blogging last night...but here's why.

#2 Yesterday, Matt and I drove out to Lake Elsinore to be with his family. We had Christmas with his uncles and aunt, cousins, brother, sister, in-laws, etc. The whole family was there. They have a traditional gift exchange "Chinese Christmas"...Matt won lottery tickets and I won "Pirates of the Caribbean 2". His cousin, who is 7, made us a little paper stocking filled with candy...it was so dang cute. She spelled my name Allyson and was sad to find out she had misspelled it.

#3 We helped clean up from the large party and set-up camp for this morning's party. Matt and I, with Matt's parents, spent the night at his brothers...we woke up this morning to watch his 3-year old nephew open Santa gifts...and then exchanged with his family. We had a huge breakfast and laughed a lot. We had a great time.

#4 We rushed back this morning to have Christmas with my dad and brother. We gave Reese, my dad's dog, some treats...she barfed on the couch...and then she laid in the corner while we exchanged. We gave my dad some great old TV shows on DVD and a cool Ferrari book. Matt, my brother and I received some very generous gifts from my dad...To top it off, we had a very American lunch at Denny's. (The only place in the whole of O.C. that is open today...believe me, I called around)

Off to #5 and 6...I'll post about those later!
Oh, and I think there will be some photos to come...

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Christmas Eve Eve

I had a great day today. I love my job, but I LOVE being off work.

An entire Saturday...no clock-watching...no last-second mind-run-throughs...I love the feeling of no service. Even when I'm off, but there is a weekend happening, it's all I can think about: did they find everything? did they remember to grab those cards? are the games fun? will they change anything because it didn't work?

None of that today! It was all about lounging around. Matt came over and we cooked a HUGE breakfast: pancakes, turkey bacon, hash browns, and eggs for Matt. Then we watched Seinfeld, wrapped last minute gifts...that's it. I did not leave the office chair (or the Tivo remote) from 9-4:30...it was such a relaxing day...

We went to my mom's for Christmas. It was so nice. She made manicotti and had delicious bread. She also made a cake, since Matt's birthday is next week. The gifts were mostly monetary, in the form of European currency and Starbucks cards...We bought my mom some books and DVDs...We laughed and chatted...it was very fun. Christmas 1 of 6 down. So far, so good.

When we came back to my house, Matt and I watched Forrest Gump and now I'm blogging while watching FRIENDS season 5.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Friday, December 22, 2006

7:30am

I woke early this morning to meet with my personal trainer. (His name is Joel, but he's for another blog.)

I spent 50 minutes working out and then I drove home. As I came down my street, I was surprised to see my neighbor, who hates my dad, in our driveway. What was she doing there? Oh, stealing our newspaper. She picked up the paper from our driveway and was walking back to her house. I watched the whole thing go down. If I'd had my camera, the "money shot" would have been mine for the taking.

I muttered "Oh, Agnus" under my breath and hit the garage door opener. Mind you, it was pouring rain. She heard the door open and spun around to look me in the face...a deer caught red-handed in headlights.

I pulled in to the garage and got out of the car as fast as I could. She was gone. But, our paper? She had left it sitting on the sidewalk between our house and hers. One inch closer to our side.

You have to get up pretty early in the morning to catch a thief.

Learn Something New Every Day

Did you know that the "12 Days of Christmas" begin on December 25th!?
I wasn't 100% sure whether they begin or end on the 25th...now I know.

I am hoping to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas next year.

Please pick a day. Here's a list if you are unsure what's on it...

Matt Jensen, you are assigned the Five Golden Rings...but gold is not my favorite, I'd prefer Four Platinum Rings.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Top Ten Books to Read

If you're looking for a good book, choose one of these...

10. The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
9. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
8. 1984 by George Orwell
7. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
6. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
5. Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K Rowling
1. Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

I could not be more excited

I don't typically blog during work, but this warrented a post.

Harry Potter Book 7 title has finally been announced.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Check out the story here.

Oh...and take a minute to look at her home page (the link is in the article) it is brilliant!

Tag! I'm it...

Emily tagged me, so here are 5 things that you may or may not know about me:

1) I hate Cinnamon. It makes my tongue itch and burn and it makes me think of all of the days my mom would take would take us to Willow Manor...Boresville, population: 1

2) I have been peed on by bats...in Kenya two years ago. Lucky for me, they caught me during the middle of a battle between me and some meat I ate...so I wasn't in the bed under their perch for long periods of time.

3) I was runner-up for "Most Likely to be Famous" during Senior year of High School... I lost, but I am determined to prove those nay-sayers wrong.

4) I thoroughly inspect my carts at Target before committing to one for my shopping experience: no dirt, bird poo, cigarette ashes, moisture of any kind, etc.

5) I am gathering my thoughts to write a book. It will hopefully bring about some discussions...and may help me to accomplish my #2.

I tag Matt Jensen, Josh Griffin, and Cathi Workman

Monday, December 18, 2006

Best Week Ever

My job is really never done. (I know, much like the Lord's.)

I spend each week creating a program for our 4 weekend services. There is no "I'll finish this next week"; on Friday, if there are unfinished tasks, I stay until they are done, or work Saturday. It is very easy to see how productive my week was.

Come Friday, the pieces are in place and we "do" the weekend. Tuesday morning, I begin again. My brain is typically in "planning mode" after our Saturday night service. There is no time to waste thinking "Wow. Sure glad that's over." It's more like "Okay, so what are we going to do next weekend?"

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job. I am energized each week thinking about the planning of the next weekend...semi competition with myself. Can I out-do me?

But, this week, I get a small reprieve and I couldn't be more excited.

No services this weekend or next...NO PLANNING FOR ME!

I "plan" to get a few things done this week, but not to rush. I can finish them next week!

Hopefully This Makes Amends

More than one blog tonight should fill the void from the last week.
Don't you feel better already?

2006 New Year's Resolution

My New Year's Resolution for this year (2006) was to be "less afraid".

Those of you who know me at all are aware that I did not stick to said resolution.

If it's possible, my fear has multiplied itself.

2007 Resolution, prepare to have your butt handed to you.

To Become Smarter

I would really love to be smarter.

I think that will be my New Year's Resolution.

Be less stupid.

Any suggestions on how to keep my resolution?

Top Ten Things On My Christmas List

10. In Vogue (not to be confused with En Vogue)
9. All ten seasons of FRIENDS on my i-Pod
8. Little Miss Sunshine (DVD)
7. Facial in a Seattle Salon
6. New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzle Book
5. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Gift Card
4. Robin Hood (Disney)--New Edition DVD
3. Anthropologie Gift Card
2. Veronica Mars Seasons 1 & 2 (DVD)
1. Christian Louboutin Heels, Size 10


In case you were stumped.

What have I been doing with myself?

Oh...I know...I am ever the hypocrite.

I have hassled others for being postless for 48 hours and here I am going on 168.

Don't get me wrong, I have not lost my blogging passion, I have just been distracted.

I have been spending any available second watching Veronica Mars. I'm about four episodes away from being caught up...

Last week I showed up to work at 11 because I had watched two episodes before I came in. I also ran on about 20 total hours of sleep in 6 days.

It's difficult to conjure up interesting subject matter when you have not lived in reality.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

I'd almost have to erase myself...

That's how long it's been since I've written anything.

I'll be back...in full force...maybe even beginning later tonight!

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

HELP!

So...we sent in our applications and photos today...
You know, for the World Series of Pop Culture.

I need some help.
PLEASE, if you have any vast knowledge in one or two specific areas, leave me a few test trivia questions. I, as they are left, will do my best to answer the questions.

If I do not know the answer, you may comment on the post that admits my lack of knowledge in your field of expertise.

Oh, and don't try to test me on Veronica Mars trivia...I haven't been blogging since Saturday because I've done very little past watching Season 1 and half of Season 2. That's good TV.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Blog Style

Thank you to MatthewGJensen.com for my brand new Blog Design.

I love it...

Our Team Name

There is an episode of Punky Brewster where they are playing Hide & Seek.
Cherry, Punky's friend, decides to hide in an old refridgerator that is in the backyard.

She closes the door and gets stuck inside...no one thinks to open the fridge to look for her...she almost suffocates.

It was a very serious episode: in the end, they have a PSA telling children not to lock themselves inside anything.

It is also a very serious team name. Thank you, Jake.

Cherry, Get Out of the Fridge

That's us.

We've officially applied to The World Series of Pop Culture.

We submitted an online team name...to "apply"...

This week, we each had to complete a pretty thorough application.

So, we'll see what happens.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Top Ten Rainy Day Activities

10. Go to the Mall
9. Head to the movies
8. Wear a beanie and go have some tomato bisque at Nordstrom Cafe
7. Stand outside and look up at the rain
6. Be in London doing any of these things...
5. Peel off wet socks and take a hot shower
4. Re-watch movies I know by heart (Sleepless in Seattle, Mean Girls, etc.)
3. Open windows and listen to the rain
2. Lay in bed, with thick warm covers
1. Be in London, drinking a Peppermint Hot Chocolate, walking through the rain with wet street smell

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

On a lighter note...

Ryanne sent me this video. Although I do not love this movie, or this song, the combination of the two is funny to me.Link

"Welcome to Our World"

There are few things that bother me more than people posting song lyrics.
Having said that, I hope it conveys the importance of these words, to my heart.
This Christmas season, I have had the most difficult time listening to these lyrics and not bursting in to tears.
In fact, as I write this now, I can not help but weap. Heavy, shoulder-shaking, tears.

Why? Why did God care so much to do this? How could he send this tiny baby, knowing the pain and suffering He would go through? I know why...I guess what I don't understand is how.

What gets me the most is this...Me, knowing all of this: the sacrifice, the bloodshed, the wounds...why can't I do my part? Why can't I be so overwhelmingly grateful for this act that I can't keep my mouth shut about it...I can't stand to be out of His presence...I don't want to break His heart anymore? Why can't I pull it together and really live to be someone that He can be proud of? Someone who draws others to Him?

How can He still want to love me even with all of my yuck? There are times when I am too ashamed of the things I've said or done to even feel like I can go back to Him. I know I can. But I think that sometimes, knowing that He'll love me no matter what makes the shame of disappointing Him even heavier.

I know that as you read these lyrics, if you are even still reading, you will not feel the same depth of what I am feeling now. But, I hope that your heart is moved, even a tiny bit. The lines in bold are those that usually cause me to sing in only a whisper as my eyes fill.


Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child.

Hope that you don't mind our manger,
How I wish we would have known.
But long-awaited, Holy stranger,
make Yourself at home

Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled.
Word now breaking heaven's silence
Welcome to our world

Fragile fingers sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorns
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born

Wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God

Josh Peters, your mom has a blog...

AND NOW, SO DOES MINE!
Check it out!

Julie Hibbard

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Closest Book Meme

Stole this idea from Mike Lovato.

The rules are:
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next four sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
5. Don’t you dare dig for that “cool” or “intellectual” book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest!

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
His face, ordinarily a trusting blank surmounted by tousled yellow curls, is creased with worry. He is not measuring the numbers of the audience--his house is sold out, as it has been for every night of the current engagement. He is looking for someone or something that no one will discuss, that he has only inferred, for the unnamed person or thing whose advent or presence has been troubling his company all day.

Monday, December 04, 2006

"The One With the Morning After"

I'll admit I have seen the ten seasons of FRIENDS too many times to count...
Even so, there are two scenes that bring me to tears EVERY TIME.

1. Ross breaks up with Julie and tells Rachel "It's always been you, Rach"-->The One With the List
2. Ross and Rachel break-up because of Chloe. He tells her he can't live without her hands, her good heart...they are both crying.--> The One With the Morning After

I watched the latter scene this afternoon. I was cleaning my room, I wasn't even actually watching the show...and still, I cried.

There is something to be said about the writing of a show, or the acting of a scene if it can evoke this kind of emotion even after a dozen times.

Dear Katie and Gerry,

Your blogs have been added.
Sorry it took me so long.
Your friend,
Allison

Another One Bites the Dust

Wendy Reeves' blog has been removed from my blogs list. This saddens me; I quite enjoyed her posts.

I thought, with the tragic passing, I would pay tribute to those who have expired. Those who could not stand the test of time. Those who retired early.

  • Alanna Pearson
  • Jared Moine
  • Brian Hurst
  • Stephen Perry
  • Josh Garrett
  • Simon Johnston
  • Ryan McAnlis
  • Tommy Hughes
  • Jake Rutenbar (you're not fooling anyone with the once-every-six-weeks post)

Who will be the next to go? My guesses:
  • Jonathan Witt
  • Elizabeth McCauley
  • Kevin Reeves

Speaking this Weekend.

I spoke at all four Wildside services this past weekend.
At last blog about this, I thought my message would be on PERFECTION (God's view, world's view)...on Wednesday, things changed.

I ended up switching with Kurt's planned message for this upcoming weekend...on OPERATION (performing self-surgery...what sin is inside that needs to be surgically removed).

It was a really simple outline with Kurt's notes stuck here and there for me to pick and choose from, which was really helpful (at least to steer my thinking for my own stories or anecdotes).

It was a great weekend. I spent very little time prepping, so I really feel like God showed up and spoke through me...

Friday, December 01, 2006

Christmas Shopping

I am kicking some serious Christm-ass.

I have almost finished Christmas shopping. Each present (but 4) is wrapped. And I have one master list of purchased and unpurchased gifts.

I am very proud of my accomplishment...
I only hope that my message this weekend is just a well-planned.