Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Blessings
Santa stopped by our house (I'm serious, he did) and asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I had nothing to say. It felt great :)
Monday, December 22, 2008
simplification
As much as I can talk about simplifying, when it comes down to it, its hard. Very hard.
I went from a 1 bedroom apartment, to 1 room. And I'm not even in my room yet. I gave away a lot of furniture, and my kitty cat. I am really excited to be living with Melissa, though.
It's hard to go back to being with roomies....
...but definitely a blessing. Everything I prayed for came into works. My move was smooth, my situation, fortunate. I have great friends who were able to help me tremendously.
AND, I am way more fortunate than a majority of the world. I know this, but its still hard to let go of acquired comforts :)
However,
Guam (my next step) is going to be challenging- in the sense that I am literally going out there with nothing, and everything else is getting packed for years. So, when I think of the simplifying I'm doing now, its nothing compared to whats to come.
Keep praying for me, my sanity, my relationships, and my work for God.
I went from a 1 bedroom apartment, to 1 room. And I'm not even in my room yet. I gave away a lot of furniture, and my kitty cat. I am really excited to be living with Melissa, though.
It's hard to go back to being with roomies....
...but definitely a blessing. Everything I prayed for came into works. My move was smooth, my situation, fortunate. I have great friends who were able to help me tremendously.
AND, I am way more fortunate than a majority of the world. I know this, but its still hard to let go of acquired comforts :)
However,
Guam (my next step) is going to be challenging- in the sense that I am literally going out there with nothing, and everything else is getting packed for years. So, when I think of the simplifying I'm doing now, its nothing compared to whats to come.
Keep praying for me, my sanity, my relationships, and my work for God.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
let it snow let it snow let it snoooow
My friend Ania picked Haley and me up last night about 11:30 p.m. By midnight we were playing in the snow, in RIVERSIDE- the C Mountain! I had so much fun- more pics to come from Ania's camera!
Friday, December 5, 2008
model
One of the perks of having a sister at Brooks Institute of Photography, is that I get to be her model. It hasn't been glamorous so far, as she is just doing technical drills- but its fun, nonetheless. The cool thing is- I've been loosing weight and toning up as she progresses, so when it comes time for the art/fashion shots, I'll be able to really get into it. Today we're doing shots of me at work, and I happen to teach yoga (at a private school 4 days a week!)- so, we'll be getting pictures of me doing yoga. I wish I had photography skills, but, my artistic ability comes in elsewhere. As for today, I'll be doing yoga in Santa Barbara- which is exactly how I'd want to spend my Friday morning!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
very cool things
A few cool things have happened lately, and some not so cool things. Lets do the not so cool first-
Ahem- well- you know, if you have ever had a root canal, that its not that bad. Right? I mean, the pain leading up to one is horrible but after the root canal, you're fine, right? Well, I forgot about a few things- like, the trauma your gums go through from having the dental dam locked over your tooth. Also, the shots to the jaw are probably one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever had to experience (and obviously, I blocked them out of my mind-).
Yesterday, I went in to the dentist for a tooth ache. I was immediately send over to my root canal-ologist who re-root canaled my tooth. So, you CAN get a root canal done twice! Who would have thought? Tiny air bubbles. OUCH! Best part- because of the medicine they put in my tooth, I won't have my permanent filling until next Tuesday. All I want to do is bite into something delicious, but I'm stuck with mush (good mush, nonetheless).
Something good happened here- my dentist didn't charge me for the second root canal. All fault aside, I still walked out with free treatment. They charged my insurance 900 though, but my almost 400 portion was waived. Sweet!
Later that night, my registration tags were found in my mailbox. I thought I would have to go to the DMV and pay off a parking ticket before getting those babies, but- nope- they mailed them to me. December 1st was my first day of expired registration.
Cool thing #3- My linguistics teacher, aka the devil, waived a project due to lack of time.
Cool things # 4&5- I had it on my heart to get two new lightbulbs, to replace some that are out, and never actually picked them up. I received a pack of 2 from the utilities company this past week. Also, I really needed a hot tea travel mug, but didn't want to spend a lot on it. A few weeks ago, when I was in the Sandals office, Kim gave me a new mug that was a sample product.
Cool thing #6- I have been praying about my roommate situation, since I need to move out to save a lot of $$ and not get another job before my trip to Guam. I had some things in the works but they weren't exactly what I knew I needed. Then, Melissa offered me a place in her house at a price that I would not have to work to be able to pay rent. Is that a run on sentence? I think so. Oh well, its freakin' awesome!
All I have to say is- God answers prayers in some funky ways, and because of all these little things, I am constantly aware of His presence. God takes care of me.
Ahem- well- you know, if you have ever had a root canal, that its not that bad. Right? I mean, the pain leading up to one is horrible but after the root canal, you're fine, right? Well, I forgot about a few things- like, the trauma your gums go through from having the dental dam locked over your tooth. Also, the shots to the jaw are probably one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever had to experience (and obviously, I blocked them out of my mind-).
Yesterday, I went in to the dentist for a tooth ache. I was immediately send over to my root canal-ologist who re-root canaled my tooth. So, you CAN get a root canal done twice! Who would have thought? Tiny air bubbles. OUCH! Best part- because of the medicine they put in my tooth, I won't have my permanent filling until next Tuesday. All I want to do is bite into something delicious, but I'm stuck with mush (good mush, nonetheless).
Something good happened here- my dentist didn't charge me for the second root canal. All fault aside, I still walked out with free treatment. They charged my insurance 900 though, but my almost 400 portion was waived. Sweet!
Later that night, my registration tags were found in my mailbox. I thought I would have to go to the DMV and pay off a parking ticket before getting those babies, but- nope- they mailed them to me. December 1st was my first day of expired registration.
Cool thing #3- My linguistics teacher, aka the devil, waived a project due to lack of time.
Cool things # 4&5- I had it on my heart to get two new lightbulbs, to replace some that are out, and never actually picked them up. I received a pack of 2 from the utilities company this past week. Also, I really needed a hot tea travel mug, but didn't want to spend a lot on it. A few weeks ago, when I was in the Sandals office, Kim gave me a new mug that was a sample product.
Cool thing #6- I have been praying about my roommate situation, since I need to move out to save a lot of $$ and not get another job before my trip to Guam. I had some things in the works but they weren't exactly what I knew I needed. Then, Melissa offered me a place in her house at a price that I would not have to work to be able to pay rent. Is that a run on sentence? I think so. Oh well, its freakin' awesome!
All I have to say is- God answers prayers in some funky ways, and because of all these little things, I am constantly aware of His presence. God takes care of me.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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