the enemy

I've already told this story a few times, but I think its hilarious- so here ya go:

Tuesday night, I was sitting on the edge of my tub shaving my legs. Once I was finished, I got up to turn on the water. Pulling back the shower curtain, I was startled by a BIG FAT ROACH. It's been raining in my area, and the bugs are probably trying to figure out what to do with themselves, and this roach the length of a credit card (my friend Todd says, Jen, 3 inches is the size of a credit card! Are you sure it was 3 inches? Yes, Todd, it was) is hanging out on my wall. This means, he was there the entire time I was shaving my legs- hovering above me. GROSS! Anyway, I shut off the water and jump out of the shower. I'm half covered in shaving cream and I had to cover up (why? I live by myself, I don't know-).

I ran out of the bathroom and started scanning my bookshelf. I was not going to let this roach get away and run loose in my place. I had no one else to do it for me, and I certainly wasn't getting the cat involved. Anyway, looking at my books, I can't figure out which one I would part with. Anything touching the roach would be destroyed shortly thereafter. I couldn't choose a book, so I moved to magazines. Nope, too flimsy. Then, I turned to see my pile of Press Enterprises. I knew my subscription was good for something! I rolled one up and went to my kitchen for more supplies. I needed a shield, just in case. I picked up the dust pan and made my way to the bathroom.

I look at the wall, no roach. I pull back the curtain- no roach. Pulled it back more, and there it was- repositioning itself. I was praying the roach would walk closer to over the tub so it would fall that way and not around the toilet. God heard me, and the roach started to move. I took the newspaper, whacked the ginormous bug, and ran out. I grabbed a plastic Target bag and came back in for the sweep. There it was- dead on the bottom of my tub. I take the newspaper and scoot it into the bag.

It started RUNNING AROUND!! Whack I hit it again. Second attempt at the scoop, and again, it started running in circles. Whack whack whack. Dead? No. Of course not. I get it, now, what they say about roaches. I wasn't about to clean up bug guts, so I knocked it silly until I was able to scoop it into the bag. I gave it another swat for good measure, tossed in the newspaper, and tied the bag. I ran it to my front porch and threw it near the rest of my trash bags I was about to take out.

Roaches, being the peculiar indestructible creatures they are, had me freaked out for the rest of the night. I pictured opening the front door to see the roach staring me down, as if it was out for revenge. Or at least just a good talk about the wrong I had done. But that didn't happen- and I'll just be on my toes for the duration of my stay in that apartment.

Thanksgiving Shennanigans

Only during a road trip is it ever acceptable to eat Mc Donald's twice in one day, let alone at all-
My sister, Essie, and I, left Santa Barbara early this morning after hitting the snooze button for a half hour. I arrived in Santa Barbara late last night, played some Facebook games, and went to bed. When 6 a.m. arrived, I was not moving. Come 7, however, we were on our way.

Mc Donald's stop 1: Sausage and cheese biscuit.

snack: half a box (3 bars) of Nature's Valley "sweet and salty" Peanut granola bars.

Gas stop- oh look! A Mc Donald's is across the street. Let's get some yogurt and water. Ten minutes later, my sister comes back with a yogurt parfait and apple pie, for each of us. Hmm- not even noon yet and I reached calorie capacity.

On our trip, we were listening to various radio stations and talk programs. The Christian gospel stations were on the low dial, and the country was on the high dial. I swear, there must have been six or seven of each. We stumbled upon a program that was telling the story of Thanksgiving. Apparently, the Indians had British accents. Also, did you know Thanksgiving was started by a pilgrim asking an Indian (after the pilgrim killed the Indian's family and took over all the land) of he knew about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ok, now, I am all about some good Christian stories, but I believe that Thanksgiving did not happen that way. There is no way that's possible. The pilgrims needed the Indians so they wouldn't die through another winter, and the Indians needed the pilgrims to stop infringing on their land. The real Thanksgiving must have been bad ass.

Then, the station cut out. Back to country music.

We arrived at our Dad's around 1:15, and were greeted by an array of appetizers. Veggies and feta dill dip, salami rolled with peppercinis and cream cheese, black olives, and shrimp. I think I ate half of the apps. My step mom started cutting up homemade pumpkin bread and a pumpkin cream cheese roll (may I mention that she made a few loafs and rolls for each of us to take home??) Anyway, I ate about 500 cal in breads. Then, I took a good long nap before dinner.



Dinner- was awesome as always. Whatever my dad cooks is amazing. I remember the time when he made a full course meal before Steph and I left for Thailand: tri tip steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli, bread, dessert of some sort... and let me just say that's not the best thing to eat before 20 hours of travel time. Yes, I'm now experiencing that same uncomfortable sensation of eating just a little too much all day long.

Here we are. Watching James Bond, whichever one came out in 2006. My dad knew he didn't see this one because it came out in 2006. I think he stopped going out to movies and renting them way back when I was in high school. I'm not even paying attention at this point- just waiting for the turkey coma to kick in.

Home!

I am home from Utah and have an amazing week ahead of me. I am enjoying my morning after an early (6:30) hike and walk up Mt. Rubideaux with my friend Jessa. It was great to be up and out! I didn't really cough at all during my time out which was awesome since it means I'm probably getting better. I am enjoying the rest of my morning with some hot green tea and time to catch up on my blogs. My sister has a great blog that you can find on my page. Also, Post Secret is cool, and I love reading Angie's and April's blogs. When Melissa blogs I read those too :)

The living situation might be working out nicely, though I would be letting some people down. I will give you more updates by Tuesday or so.


Utah was great- I'll throw some pictures in of my trip. We went to Olympic Park, Salt Lake City, the Great Salt Lake, and a Coldplay concert. I like Colorado better (my mom asked my preference) but I'd go back to Utah any day. Too bad I don't ski or like snow, other than that, I had a great time!

Park City, Utah

I am leaving for Park City, Utah, tomorrow afternoon. More to come-!

rant and pet peeves

-I hate when I tell people what my job is and they look me up and down. Like, I'm competition or a threat because of my credible physique and flexibility (right? no)Flexible, yes, physique-NO. Its getting there but its no indicator of my job.

-Freeways, enough said.

-Spiritual attack coming in the form of "answered prayers-" Yes, I prayed for that! But that's the devil- so, what to do...?

-People with weak handshakes, whats up people!

-Being in an environment that is like high school, who needs to compete at this age?

-I am leaving in ten or so months, and since that announcement, people have already started to push me away. Like- I'm not worth the long term friendship-based investment?

-Having to try to fit into a group that should be accepting by nature.

-Miscommunication on any end.

-Not being able to spend the time I want with my family and friends, near and far-

-Me slacking on school work-ah--

-Hitting the diet plateau!

-Cravings of chocolate and ice cream mmmm :)

-That feeling of loosing someone, or something, or, control.



I'm sure there's more I need to get off my chest, but I will see. I try not to complain too much but every once and a while, like a good cry, its necessary. Also, its a full moon. Could that be reason for the funk?

Essie's and my trip around LA

I had a great time with my sis last weekend in Hollywood, and then at the Greek Theatre to see Jason Mraz! It was awesome- I love hanging with her! Here's 2 pics- the Waffle, and a car wash in Santa Barbara (when I took her home)

I serve an AMAZING God

"You said, ask and you will receive whatever you need.
You said, pray and I'll hear from heaven and I'll heal your land
You said, Your glory will fill the earth, like water the seas
You said, lift up your eyes. The harvest is here, the Kingdom is near

You said, ask and I'll give the nations to You
O Lord, that's the CRY of my heart
Distant Shores and the islands will see
Your Light as it rises on us"



(we're in Sedona right now, I'll be posting pictures soon :)