Monday, June 30, 2008

Monday, Monday...It Was All I Hoped It Would Be

We started with some coffee...Katie and I cried in Starbucks about how soon I'm moving away.
Then we did some shopping in Newport/Costa Mesa...Katie bought a postcard necklace (It says "I Love You"...and she bought it because she "loves mail")
Ryanne bought a new wallet that she was REALLY excited about...and then she opened it at the lunch table and Katie went nuts for it too.
Bethany bought two shirts and (evidently) a water bottle.

We had lunch at Rooster Cafe which was delicious. I can't wait to go back there.

After a shopping morning, Katie and I went to my house to do some work (emails, modge-podging, listening to messages, etc). While we did this, we watched some VH1 Top 100 music videos of the '90's...I tivoed #90-1, so please don't spoil it for me!

Then we went to Courtney's baby shower...
Katie won her e-bay auction!
And we just finished Definitely, Maybe which was so so good. (Ryan Reynolds and New York City...)

Now I get to lay in my bed and read a book...
What a great day.

Scenes From Real Life

Yesterday on my way to work, I was listening to "How to Save a Life" by The Fray.
It was such a peaceful moment: soft music, early morning--no traffic.

All I could think was: if I were going to be hit by a car, it would be right now because it would be such a juxtaposition to the tranquility.

Then, later, we were in the Starbucks parking lot and it was dead silent. I said, wow...we're going to die right now...the asteroids are going to start falling or a guy's going to jump out and open fire on this crowd.

Morbid, I know...but that's what I thought.

A Squared Plus B Squared Equals C Squared

Josh spent last week making a Recycle sign for HSM. He called me on Friday afternoon to find out how long the sides of the triangle need to be for the height to be six feet.

I said, "Don't ever let anyone say that you don't need math in real life!"
I did some calculations and found the answer...

And then I took a picture of the white board, to prove that though I was an English major, my one semester spent as a Math major was not in vain.

Pizza and Ray LaMontagne

Today at work, I was cutting out eyes (I'll explain that tomorrow).
I found an article on Ray LaMontagne (whom I love), so I cut out the photo.

Then, Ryanne found a picture of Pizza (her soon-to-be dog), so she cut it out.
She then attached it to her shirt using her magnetic name tag.

I just used clear packing tape.
We're totally lame, but it was definitely a conversation-starter.

A Nice Day For A White Wedding

Brenna and Ryan were married today. It was really great to have been a part of the celebration!
Love you both (and Baby D)...




four of my old c-group girls were there...


Saturday, June 28, 2008

Every Step You Take...Every Move You Make

I was thinking...if someone wanted to stalk me, it would be really easy.

I have a fairly easy schedule to memorize.
I visit the same Starbucks twice a day, everyday, around the same times.
I drive a car with a personalized license plate.
I hardly ever drive out of a twenty-mile radius.
I post a ton of stuff about myself on a public website.

But...
I have unagi.
I am completely aware of my surroundings at all times.
And I would notice if the same person kept popping up in the background...
Believe you me (is that the actual expression?) I would call the police very quickly.

It's About That Time For Us To...

So, I was looking at this list of 25 Things to do While I'm 25...and I realized I've done a few of these since March...so, here's the new list.

These are done. These will be done soon. The others will, hopefully, be done by October.
Would you like to help make any of these a reality?

1. Make a mosaic table
2. Have my very first Christmas tree, stockings, and Christmas morning at my own house
3. Get some students to think about their community and the world around them
4. Learn to speak a foreign language
5. Visit London
6. Watch a movie in an LA Cemetery (Cinespia)
7. Relax
8. Make a trifle
9. Take dance lessons
10. Be a good small group leader
11. Go indoor sky-diving
12. Learn to use a sewing machine
13. Ride in a helicopter
14. Spend the night at Montage
15. Go to baseball games at Fenway Park and Wrigley Field
16. Watch 3 full series of TV on DVD
17. Learn to play the guitar
18. Work with Habitat for Humanity
19. Buy a pair of Christian Louboutins
20. Apply for graduate school
21. Learn to cook (well, I can cook some things...I'm still learning)
22. Visit Kenya
23. Be a good friend
24. Get a full-body massage
25. Visit the Grand Canyon

Friday, June 27, 2008

Can I Take Your Order?

Nothing causes me more anxiety than having to order food for others.

If you tell me what you'd like--exactly what you'd like--I can make that happen, no problem.
But, if you say, "Surprise me"...then I am instantly nervous.

I am a pretty picky eater, so I am always nervous that someone else will be too.

I don't want to waste money by bringing back gross food.
And, I don't want to be a disappointment...I want to be impressive...
I want to be someone who is known for choosing excellent food all the time.

I know, it's ridiculous...but it's important to me.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Day 400 (Update #4)

As my 500th post, I made a list of goals that I would like to reach by 500 days from that day. (I am now at post 1,173.)
Here's the link to the original post...Day 500 happens to be October 2, 2008.
Day 100, Day 200, Day 300, Today is Day 400. (Weird how quickly time goes.)

* Read at least 23 books.
I have read 17 so far and am currently reading two others. I will attain this goal.

* Write something (a short story, some poetry, a song, a YM resource)...CHECK

* Weigh 135.
I'm well on my way...but not there yet.

* Speak near-fluent Swahili.
Nope...but living in Kenya will help this one!

* Travel to at least 10 countries I have not been to before.
I won't make it to ten...I'm at 3 right now. I'll visit two more this year, but not before Day 500.

* Be financially independent...CHECK

* Have serious Kenya-living plans...CHECK
I leave one month from yesterday...crazy how much has changed in 400 days.

* Be en route to a Master's degree.
Nope...but post-Kenya, this will be a reality.

* Record...CHECK

* Laugh a lot. Loudly and a lot...CHECK
Of course...

Day 500 (Update #5) will be Wednesday, October 2, 2008...

Eye Don't Know What's Happening

On the way back to work tonight, I got something in my eye.

It turned red and swelled up...so much so that I was winking at the Taco Bell drive-thru employee and had to say, "I'm sorry. I have something in my eye. I'm not trying to be all creepy winking at you."

So, for the next few hours at work I tried to calm it down...cool water, fresh air, no more rubbing...but still, at 10, when Katie came in, she said, what's happening? Why is your eye all red?

I put some drops in and it stopped burning...and watering...and the swelling went down.

But then I came home to find that the pupil had dilated to twice its usual size.
Can you tell? My left eye. Maybe you can't tell, which really just makes this whole thing funnier.

Movies I Missed In The Theater And Now Want To Rent



There might be a few more...
Would you like to watch any of these with me?

Makin' Copies...

Sometimes I make photocopies with the copier lid open.

But if I do, I hit start, take a few steps back and close my eyes.

I have a slight fear of developing a brain tumor from looking at that light.

Stupid, I know...but I realized this about myself tonight.

I #*%@^$ Love Punctuation

I love punctuation.

My favorites are the ellipsis (better known as the "dot, dot, dot") and the ampersand (the fancy 'and' symbol)

I recently discovered I am not alone in my love for the ampersand.

Check out this blog.
I subscribe to it so I can look at a new "&" everyday.

Maybe that makes me a nerd...for that I will not apologize.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Kevin!

My friend Kevin posted a blog about tattoos, inspired by my post from yesterday.
He's a funny guy...you should read his blog.

Or at least this post.

Have You Seen My Kenya Blog?

Check it out.

Correction!

The post about my tattoo was supposed to be titled:

Tat-Tuesday

I had been saving that joke for a week and then was so distracted when I actually posted...
Boo "In Bruges" for being so interesting that I lost my quick wit.

The History Of Love

"Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering."

Buy it. Read it. Love it.
Seriously. I think it falls just below A Heart-Breaking Work of Staggering Genius as my favorite book ever.

"She was gone, and all that was left was the space where you'd grown around her, like a tree grows around a fence."

Seriously.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

In Case You Want To Send A Care Package To Kenya

This is what I would like:
It will be released on August 19th.

My New Tattoo


As I talked about my tattoo appointment, Katie, Bethany and Allison each said they wanted to come along. Katie called last night to tell me she was so nervous and couldn't believe that I wasn't. I was excited all day...The best part was calling to tell them that the tattoo parlor was next door to a taco stand. Classy, right?
All three arrived late, so I really got my tattoo alone...which really just made me feel more awesome.

Greg, the tattoo artist, was so cool. I can't wait to go get more work done by him.

Up next...a foot tattoo...in a few weeks, I think...

One More Item On The List

So...remember when I blogged about not marrying someone who loves baseball or camping?

I'm also adding flip flops to the list; I don't want to marry a flip-flop wearing man.

Kurt and Bethany can't believe this. They think I am severely narrowing my husband possibilities and should reconsider.

I'm actually okay with the small selection I will have...and I don't intend to recant this statement.

This Is It.



This is my new tattoo...
Pictures tomorrow.

Good Day (in) L.A.

I spent the day in LA with the Nelson brothers.
We went to the Beverly Center to buy Sam some job interview clothing...and Jesse bought a sweet purse (for photography tools). I walked out empty-handed...and then we passed this geographic gift. The boys were great sports about hanging in a high-end shoe store and I was a little too excited to make the purchase.They are so pretty...and they smell delicious...I love them.
I'm tempted to wear them to my tattoo appointment tomorrow, just to wear them everywhere.
Seriously...I am wearing them to work this week...and to the McNeff/Hodge wedding on Sunday. I love them.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Refinery Opening Weekend

Today was a long day in the Refinery...it was filled with excited tears. I cried every half an hour for the first half of the day and then every 10 minutes after that. I cried at the idea of opening this building for students to come and hang out; to learn to love God and each other; to feel the comfort of a place to call their own; to look back 10-years from now and remember this weekend as the start of great memories. I cried about all of the Wildside memories I have and the idea of being a part of so many more. I cried thinking about not being a part of this in a month. I cried at the moment of walking from backstage to start the first service in the building. (I was totally laughed at for that.) It was such a great day!

Here are more pictures from the day...

Josh Pease, Katie, Alanna
Jamie, Katie, Alanna
Matt and Kurt
Allison and Jason Petty
Griff
Bethany, Allison, Alanna and Katie
Bethany
Alanna
K Shann
A Murray
Teresa
The HSM Program TeamThe Wildside females with our new stage
K Shann...I love her guts
Oh, Ange
Jessie and D Mas
Jaime...who did an excellent job of
Katie and Brandon...the newest "Party Girl"
We love our Refinery buttons
Cute Lea...I love that she can look at the camera!
Her parents haven't figured out the whole picture-taking concept
I love Dom
Kyle...
T Shann and Kyle

Service Starts Now

I'm blogging on Ryanne's phone from the back of our very first service. I've been crying all afternoon out of sheer excitement and years of anticipation!

I love Wildside...

More pictures and stories later...

Friday, June 20, 2008

This Week

I'm getting another tattoo.
Something like this...(definitely this phrase, not exactly this font)
Which do you like best?