Courtney is Coming!

My good friend Courtney is coming to Fresno tonight and staying with me and then we're going to meet up with our other former housemates tomorrow night for dinner. Court and I met our freshmen year in college and we lived together in a house with four other girls our senior year. She is so great--and her family is amazing. She's just one of those people you love to be around because she just makes you feel good. Even though I'm not feeling all that well, I'm still excited that she is coming and we're going to get a chance to hang out and catch up! And dinner tomorrow night with all of the housemates back together will be a blast! Hopefully I'll get my appetite back by tomorrow...!

You Be The Doctor

So, I haven't been feeling like myself lately and I've been having really strange symptoms. I would like to think I'm a pretty healthy girl, so all these things are weird for me. I'm hopefully going to the doctor tomorrow morning (hoping they can get me in tomorrow--I'm going to call right at 8:00am). My old doctor retired so I'm going to a new doctor...grrrr...I LOVED my old doctor. Dr. Smith, bless your heart!

So you be the doctor...here are my symptoms:

Dizzness
Blurred Vision
Abdominal cramping after eating
Abnormally Tired
Strange Appetite (very hungry and then don't want to touch food)
Thristy
Spurts of feeling really hot and sweating (I guess it would be like hot-flashes, but I've ruled out menopause)
Feeling Bloated
Spit up blood (but only once)

So...I'm not sure what all this means, but my body is telling me something isn't right. I'll keep you guys posted as to what I find out. Something tells me I'm going to have to be poked by a needle tomorrow...and I don't like needles!

But I should really be thankful I have such good medical care. Who am I to complain?!? Seriously Becky, seriously!

Wedding #3

So today I was asked to be a bridesmaid in wedding #3 for my friend (and former housemate) Kristin. She's getting married on August 11th...should be good times! But wedding #2 (which is in October) is going to be happening after Wedding #3...

Wedding #4 will be Jen's and wedding #5 will be Nina's...just my predictions :) I will be wedding #15.

The above picture is from my friend Brandie's wedding--the first wedding I was a bridesmaid in.

"A B C it's as easy as..."

A few of my girls and I all did this...reason number 27 why I love my job.

1. A is for age: 22

2. B is for bread of choice: Whole Wheat

3. C is for career right now: Residence Director

4. D is for your dog's name? Rudy

5. E is for essential item you use everyday: Lip Gloss - Bath and Body Peppermint lip gloss to be exact.

6. F is for favorite TV show at the moment: Right now I'm really liking "The Office"

7. G is for favorite board game: Taboo (you really don't want to mess with my bff and me...we'll take you down)

8. H is for Hometown: Fresno...the 559...you know.

9. I is for instruments you play: I used to play the clarinet. And when Jen and I were 13 I would play her sister's toy electric guitar and she would bust out on the mic.

10. J is for favorite juice: Cranberry.

11. K is for whose face you'd like to kiss: You can tell this was created by a high schooler :o)

12. L is for last place you ate: BJ's

13. M is for marriage: Someday

14. N is for your favorite number: Who really has a favorite number?

15. O is for overnight hospital stays: Hasn't happened yet.

16. P is for people you were with today: Too many to name.

17. Q is for quote: "Just like photographs, we develop from the negative"

18. R is for your Biggest Regret: Not eating more fiber...just kidding...I have no idea.

19. S is for status: As one of my girls said, "Single and looking to mingle" I don't know about all that.

20. T is for time you woke up today: 9:30am

21. U is for uniforms: I think girls can all agree men look good in uniform.

22. V is for vegetable you love: Asparagus and Broccoli and Fresh Artichoke

23. W is for worst habit: Playing with my eyelashes... Weird...I know.

24. X is for x-rays you've had: Teeth

25. Y is for yummy food you ate today: Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin.

26. Z is for the zodiac sign: Yeah, I'm not into that stuff.

Nothing Like Warm Water To Drink

This morning I woke up and went to the refrigerator to get an apple. I took out the apple and cored it using my oh so cool apple corer. As I began to eat a slice I noticed the apple wasn't as cold as usual. I didn't think much of it and went to the refrigerator to get out my nalgene with water in it. As soon as I grabbed it, I knew something was up. The nalgene was warm. I felt the yogurt cups and those were warm too... What was going on here?

I opened my freezer to find the chicken I had in there was completely defrosted and all nasty looking. The hamurger meat in there was pretty gross looking too.

Luckily, there are quite a few living areas around me that have refrigerators (one next door to me to be exact) so I bagged up all my perishable food items and took them next door to be put in theirs. Crisis adverted...at least for now.

I don't know if any of my food will still be good, because I really have no idea how long the frige and freezer weren't working. As I started thinking about it, I realized I did not open my refrigerator once yesterday. I know, pretty sad. But I ate lunch at a friend's house and then I went out to dinner with some friends. I do remember having a drink of water last night from my nalgene and thinking about it now, I realize it was slightly warm, but it was late and I didn't think much of it at the time.

So hopefully tomorrow when the facilities department is working, they'll be able to get this all figured out and maybe I'll even get a new refrigerator! And when it does get worked out, I'll need to go buy some more chicken.

True Life Story Of...

"Always live with your biography in mind."

This quote first made me smile and then made me think. What a cool idea to think about one day actually having my whole life laid out in a book. It surely challenges you to make life exciting and live life to the fullest knowing others could read about you someday...

I think I'm now going to go sky diving tomorrow and then bull riding.

Someone Is Bitter

Tonight when I was at the gym on the eliptical machine I overheard a woman say:

"I need a man like I need a hole in my head!"

And I thought..."Wow, someone is bitter." Who knows what happened to make this woman so bitter towards men, but she looked like a woman you would not want to mess with!

1 Hour 53 Minutes and 44 Seconds

That's how long J.lo and I talked on the phone tonight. I'm not sure how we do it--or how we don't run out of things to talk about, but the conversation just flows. Here are just a few of the things we talked about...

Family
Weekend Plans
Work
Working Out
Friends
The shape of our face
Things you first notice about someone
Vented frustrations
White Chocolate
Brownies
Superbowl Plans
Valentine's Day
Stomach Pains
Staying up late
Going to the doctor
Self centered people
Feeling attractive
The love of doing nothing
New myspace layout
Songs on myspace
Looking forward to our 30's
Cheerios
Marriage

I can't think of one other person in the world that I could talk with about all of the above things and more!

5 Things Most People Don't Know About Me

Here we go...

1. I don't like to look in the mirror when I brush my teeth. I always turn around and put my back to the mirror.

2. I am EXTREMELY good at the game "Paperboy" for Sega Genisis. I would challenge anyone to a duo. That's right...bring it.

3. I used to dip french fries in mayonaise...I don't know WHAT I was thinking. Yuck!

4. I love to sleep on my couch.

5. I love to eat peanut butter spread on top of a cinnamon raisin bagel topped with bananas and sprinkled with raisins on top. Finger licking good!

Book Recommendation

I'm currently reading a book titled: "When People Are BIG and God is small"

I started reading it a few weeks ago and it's been really good. The theme of the book revolves around the idea and understanding that as humans we often are more concerned about what other people think of us rather than what God thinks of us. It talks about our tendency to often fear men and not fear God.

I appreciate the approach this book takes when it lays our many of the reasons why we fear men. The idea that we become consumed with thinking about how other people will view you or judge you based upon the things you say and do. Convictingly, it also talks about the tendency people have to shy away from doing or saying things they feel God is calling them too, out of fear of criticism or rejection from other people.

I'm not done reading it yet--but so far it's been a good read.

Let Go Girl

Here's my version of a conversation I recently had with God:

God: "Hey Becky, why don't you let me be in control and give me that 'thing' you're worried about."

Me: "That sure sounds like a good idea. I should do that."

God: "Okay...well then...give it to me."

Me: "Sure"

God: "Becky...ummm, you really haven't fully given me that worry yet. You're still holding on to it."

Me: "No, I gave it to you God." (If I had a nickel for everytime I said that...)

God: "Hmmm...no you didn't really give it to me...you need to let go. Have I ever let you down before?"

Me: "No, you've never let me down before."

God: "Yeah, so boo yaw! Point proven. Give it to me and let go girl!"

Very Few Things

Come close to being as good as a McDonald's soft serve ice cream cone. Very, very few.

Oh Those Were The Days...

I had the chance to spend some time with Mariana on Sunday...otherwise known as my college roommate.


Side note--Saying "college roommate" somehow has undertones of sounding really old.

Any how, it was great to see her, chat a bit and catch up on life. As roommates we had our moments (or sometimes weeks) of frustration with the other person--but boy did we both learn a lot about ourselves and the other throughtout the two years of living together.

The Sun Is Shining...

The sun was shining today and it made me want to get my bike out and start bike riding again. My bike is at my parent's house, but I'm thinking I'm going to bring it over to my aprartment sometime soon...that will be sweet.

But then I remembered what happened last time I went bike riding...


I've only had one fall in my adult bike riding career and this was it. And boy did it hurt. A lot. I was turning a corner and my tire hit a puddle and the bike skid from underneath me and down I went. Hard. Of course I looked around to see if anyone saw me, and one man did but I just smiled and waved and said I was okay (even though there was blood dripping down my leg). But I had to get home so I got back on my bike and rode home...bloody knee and all.

But this time I will not fall because I'm going to add training wheels on my bike, just to be on the safe side.

And on a side note...the date on this picture is totally wrong or at least the year is. It's 2006 not 2005...just FYI.

Minor Accident

I was looking through my pictures and found this one.


No, this isn't my car, it is (or was rather) my uncles. And he walked away from this accident with only a few minor scratches.

A miracle? I think so.

15 Things I Learned in 2006

1. Living in a house with 5 other girls is A LOT of fun.

2. Life after graduation is great--you don't have to go to class any more or take tests or write papers--but it's just a weird season of life overall.

3. God is faithful and I'm a work in progress...

4. Save all your graduation money because you'll be buying wedding gifts, bridal shower gifts and bridesmaid dresses soon enough.

5 You've gotta know what your standards are and keep them high.

6. Everyone wears their pain differently. I started learning how I wear mine.

7. Other people treat you the way you choose to treat yourself.

8. Living alone is both great and a bit weird at the same time.

9. If you have stomach pains and back pains and you vow to never eat again because everytime you do you feel sick...you probably need to have your gallbladder removed.

10. Allow yourself extra cell phone minutes between the months of October-January because EVERYONE and their mom gets engaged (okay, maybe not everyone and maybe not their moms...but sometimes it sure seems like it).

11. I fear people more then I fear God...it needs to be the other way around.

12. Some people are hard to love--but I'm called to love and keep on loving.

13. I always think I know more then I really do. I need to stop that.

14. I need to learn to let go.

15. "The truth will set you free" I just have to be honest with others and myself.

Quote of the Week #3

This one was great...

At our celebrate diversity dinner with we're talking about diversity and how different people wear different kinds of shoes (I know a weird conversation).

Dad: "Yeah, well I don't really understand them" (can't remember what he was referencing)

Becky: "You can't say anything until you walk a day in their shoes"

Mom chimes in: "That's right, you should try walking a day in their thongs*".

*Mom was referring to one's shoes but after she said that we all lost it and busted up laughing.

Oh it was great...but not quite as good as the quote of the night two years ago, but I don't think that one would be given justice through a post--I'd have to tell you that one in person.

Celebrate Diversity!

Tonight was the 6th annual Celebrate Diversity dinner at my parents house. I have not laughed as hard as I did tonight in a very, very long time. To the right you can see a picture of those who attended the celebration this evening: My dad, mom, me and Jen (this pic was taken at Jen's 21st bday bash).

Celebrate Diversity started 6 years ago when Jen and I were seniors in high school. Jen was living with my family and me at the time and on the Monday we had off from school for MLK day, Jen decided to make dinner. One thing led to another and soon it morphed into this annual dinner where my parents, Jen and myself (and in years past we had a few special guests) eat, talk, laugh and celebrate togehter.

For some this might sound really really strange--and I understand and that's okay. Because honestly I can't even tell you why this annual Celebrate Diversity dinner started--but I'm sure glad it did. I don't think I can adequately explain the festivities all with words, it just something you have to experience. We talk about positive ways we've encountered diversity over the years and share stories of all kinds.

Tonight we had lasagna (which is a staple at every celebrate diversity dinner) Editors Note: last year my mom burned the lasagna so we had to order in Italian food instead---nonetheless it was still a great time).
But tonight we had homemade lasagana with bread and salad and cake for dessert!

We talked about what it will be like when Jen and I are both get married and how our husbands respond to the annual celebration. They will have to embrace it, because they really won't have a choice. When you marry someone, you take them for who they are and I think J.lo would agree that Celebrate Diversity is a part of us :)

After dinner we sat around the fire in the living room and sang some songs (no joke) such as "Jesus Love the Little Children", "Shine Jesus Shine", "Your a Grand Old Flag", "The National Anthem" and "Kumbaya". It sounds really cheesy--but trust me it wasn't--it was great and we had soooo much fun. In years past we had a dance party where Jen and I would teach my mom a few moves and she would teach us how to shake it old school style.

I love the way my dad looks at us as he debates whether or not to join in (but he always does) but his facial expressions are priceless.

Another great year and another great dinner and evening celebrating diversity. In 4 years it will be Celebrate Diversity's 10th anniversary--look out America, that will be one big bash!

Half Dome

J.lo doesn't know this yet, but this summer her and I are going to hike half dome together. Just me and you J.lo and one big mountain. I've climbed Half Dome once before, three summers ago and it was amazing (but I have to say the next day I could bearly walk--yes, I was that sore). But I Just thought I'd give you a little advanced notice J.lo. It'll be great--well, it'll be something. If nothing more, it will be another good memory we'll make!

Eating Good In The Neighborhood

I just started thinking of all the good food I've had for dinner that past few nights. Here's a recap:

Thursday Night: Mimi's Cafe - Dinner Salad and French Onion Soup with some delicious bread.

Friday Night: Rubio's - chicken taco, rice, beans, chips and salsa...mmmmmm.

Saturday Night: Dinner with the girl's basketball team after the game (the team and coaches and other family members of the players always eat together after the game--a different players family volunteers to make dinner each time, and the girls invited me to join in with them). We had chile verde burritos with beans, rice, chicken, a little sour cream and cheese all inside a warm tortilla. Complete with a rice krispy treat for dessert...and a mini brownie.

Sunday Night: A-M-AZING food at my friend Noelle's house. We're talking appatizers such as warm spinach artichoke dip with pita chips, nachos, carrots and snap peas with ranch dip (oh how I love that!) and chips and salsa. And that wasn't even dinner...

Dinner was chicken enchilladas, homemade tomales, beans, TWO kinds of rice, and salad.

Okay, now ready for dessert? For one, they had a HUGE box (probably the biggest I have ever seen) of assorted gourmet chocolates, gigantic cupcakes (chocolate and yellow with frosting and sprinkles), ice cream and other assorted candies including: snickers, twix, red vines, starbursts, and peanut m&m's.

Top the night off with a cup of coffe and throw in the towel. I hadn't ate that good in a looooong time.

Tomorrow night: Celebrate Diversity Dinner! We'll have our traditional lasagana with all the fixings and some sort of dessert I'm sure...can't wait!

What things get YOUR affections...?

Church was good tonight. I take that back--I really don't like labeling church as "good" or "bad" because it just doesn't seem right. I think what I'm trying to say is that I left church tonight with unanswered questions and with a desire to dig deeper into scripture and into my own life to find some answers.

The basic question posed tonight at church was pretty simple:

"What things get your affections?

In other words what things do you think about when you're lying awake in bed at night? What are the things that consume your thoughts?

Tonight Brad (the pastor) spoke about worship and adoration towards God. He used Psalm 13 as his reference point and spoke of David's worship towards the one true and faithful God--the same God we serve today.

As I left church I was left with that question on the forefront of my mind...what things get MY affections? I thought of a few things right off the top of my head--and then it was time for me to evaluate if the things that came to my mind were God honoring things.

I've gotta be honest--this was tough for me to do. And to completely honest, some of the things that came to my mind at one point or another were not God honoring.

But it makes sense why it's a tough thing to do because to stand before a soverign God who knows ALL and can see all your of your issues and all of the baggage you carry, can be awkward. Instead we try and medicate ourselves and go out and "buy a cd or pound a fillet" to make us feel better.

There are so many things in this world of ours that are vying for our "affections". And often times we end up devoting so much of our time, thoughts and energy to certain things/people/jobs that they become things that we begin to worship in one form or another.

So the question remains for us all, what things do you worship...what things get YOUR affections...?

What Works...What Doesn't

Guys, you probably won't care to read this (unless you want to be super prepared when you get married and have knowledge about this stuff for your wife) but I think ladies will appreciate it. I've found out what things work and what things don't work when you have cramps...

What Works:

--Caffeine - Midol has caffeine in it and though used in excess it is not good for your body. However, it helped me to feel more awake (because it is a stimulant) and want to get off the couch, out of the fetal position and do something. Just one diet pepsi was enough for me.

--Exercise - Not in excess, but it's the times when you are cureled up on the couch in the fetal position and don't want to do ANYTHING when you really need to get out and do something. I went to the gym last night and didn't do strenuous exercise but did some cardio and a few light weights and felt a whole lot better.

--A hot meal - does wonders when you don't feel good. Even when I didn't feel like eating, after I ate something hot it made me feel better.

--A hot shower

Things that DON'T work:

--Pounding down the Midol - too much can make things worse and lessen the effects of the medicine.

--Staying rolled up in bed for the entire day - though it is tempting--not a good idea.

--Too much exercise - you do need some rest while your body is coping with what is going on inside, so too much is not good. Moderation is key.

--Whining about it - yes, it can majorly suck, but complaining about it doesn't do any good either. Things could always be worse...always.

Wow, I sound like a doctor and I surely am NOT. As a disclaimer, these are things that I have found to work for me. Every woman is different and every body is different--take it for what it's worth.

I think I'm going to go on a walk right now...

Okay, I admit it.

I have an issue with staring at people. Various people within the past week have brought to my attention that I stare at people in public. Now I'm okay admitting to this, because I am a firm believer that we all have issues--and I, apparently, have an issue with staring.

Not that I feel a need to explain myself (or maybe I do...) however, when I look at people I don't do it with the intention to stare. I am just fascinated by people.

And when I'm looking at people (okay staring at them, as many would call it) I'm usually asking questions about them to myself. Questions like, "I wonder what things they struggle with in their life?" or "Are they happy with where they're at in life?"

If there's a man and a woman sitting together and their not talking to one another, I think to myself, "Are they mad at eachother or are they so comfortable with one another they don't have to be talking all the time?" Or if it's a family, I will often think about my own family and then think what a big job it is to raise children and keep a healthy marriage going.

Or the times when I really think to myself are when people are sitting and eating alone...I ask a whole slue of questions then. Such as, "Do they like eating by themselves?" "Maybe they're comfortable with eating alone and don't have an issue with it." "Do they eat alone a lot?" "I wonder where and if they work?"

Honestly, these are the questions that go through my head. I'm intrigued by people's stories. Stories that we all have that are filled with joy and pain, hopes and fears, longings and heartache. I am intrigued by how experiences we have, people we meet and choices we make shape who we are and who we become.

So, no excuses...I do often stare. And though I don't mean to, I will do my best to work on this. For all of you who have told me at one point or another, "Becky, you're staring". Hang with me...I'm a work in progress.

Hey, at least I don't ask these people all of the questions I'm thinking about them. Now THAT would be strange...

A Little Piece of Encouragment

I read this today and thought it was interesting and worth posting. I have to say I would classify myself as somewhat of a health nerd (not that I know everything by any means) but I really enjoy learning about nutrition.

So for all of you who made "go on a diet" part of your New Year's resolution, and have found yourself already falling back into old eating habits, there is good news for you...

Keep reading...

"It happens -- a piece of cheesecake here, a missed workout there. But diet detours needn't become guilt-wracked weight loss disasters.

Proof: When researchers put 142 overweight people on the same weight loss program, one group followed it for 14 straight weeks; another took a six week hiatus at the midpoint; the final group took a two week break every few weeks. Eleven months later, everybody had lost an average of 16 pounds.

"It's not the breaks that hurt weight loss efforts," says study author Rena Wing, PhD, of Brown University Medical School. "It's your negative reactions to the breaks and the subsequent downward spiraling." So enjoy your time off, and then get back on track."

Gotta Love UrbanDictionary.com

Before I begin this post, props go out to j.lo for introducing me to UrbanDictionary.com.

One definition I found intereting and I thought you might too...

Boo: (Like when someone says, "She's my boo".

According to Urban Dictionary...

"Boo is a term that is derived from the French word "beau" meaning beautiful. In 18th century England it meant an admirer, usually male. It made it's way into Afro-Caribean language perhaps through the French colonisation of some Caribean islands.

Now meaning girl or boyfriend"

I didn't think "Boo" meant boyfriend or girlfriend. I still think I'm going to stick with my own made up definition for the word.

Attention Please!

I would like to announce and commend the viable efforts of Mr. Eric Putman and his achievement in the Saddleback Church Fantasty Football League.

Mr. Putman came in 1st place in the fantasy football league. Appropriately enough his team was named AmERICa's team.

Way to go Eric. I feel privledged to call you my friend.

FYI...

Cardigans are on sale at Wal-Mart...just in case anyone was interested or if you wanted to buy one for someone else...

Be quick J.lo...sale ends soon :)

haha...

Dear Diary...

I saw this on another friends blog and it reminded me of a time when I was in the 3rd grade and I actually kept a diary (a Beauty and the Beast diary...to be exact). One day my brother was snooping in my room and found it and read it!

Not only did he read it but I had wrote about this guy I liked named Mike. My brother then went and told all of my friends at school the next day about my big cruch on Mike. Needless to say I was over-the-top embarressed.

So, anyway, this survey made me think of that. Even now at the age of 22 I have to say I still have twinge of bitterness about that towards him...punk. But I love him.

Dear Diary, today is: Tuesday, January 9, 2007

The Weather: A bit chilly--but I really can't complain--A California winter isn't really a normal winter.

Tonight I went: to the gym and to a concert down in the tower district with some friends (I had a shower in between those two things :)

I wish: The fan in my bathroom didn't come on EVERY TIME I turn the light on. Talk about annoying...

I'm thankful for: my comfy bed :)

I'm worried about: where and what I'll study in grad school. I can't say I'm super worried about this, but it's always a thought in the back of my head.

I'm wearing: Cotton pants and a sweatshirt...while lounging in bed...I love it!

I'm listening to: Chicago (A little old school--but it's been good to me)

I can't believe: how fast time goes by. It's 2007...? It freaks me out a little bit to think how fast time has gone by. Yikes. Weren't we just hanging out with Adam and Sergio yesterday...?

How do: people not understand the concept of putting their blinker on when they are going to turn or change lanes. It seems so simple...

My dad: taught me how to shoot a riffle, pitch a tent and make a darn good omlet.

My mom: is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Seriously...she cracks me up. Example: Someone cuts me off in traffic and I say "What the heck?" and my mom responds with, "Oh honey, you don't know, but they migt be having a really bad day...just let it go."

Or another one of my favorite:

Tim (my brother): "Hey Mom will you do me a favor?"
Mom: "Sure honey, anything."
Tim: "But you don't even know what my favor is yet, how can you say yes?"
Mom: "Oh it doesn't matter what it is, I'll do anything for you."

I ate: chicken tir fry for dinner

I love: having a clean appartment.

Just For The Record--Update

I made an appointment this morning with my "hair lady" Cecile, for next Thursday at 9:30am. Soon this will all be worked out.

Until then...I'll have to continue to be creative with how I do my hair. And I'm really not a hair girl, so this has all been a little bit new for me (*sigh*)...

I'm Not Gonna Lie...

I love my job. I am SO blessed by the people I work with. And I enjoy that I am continually chanllenged both spiritually and professionally.

I'm not gonna lie...I have one pretty sweet job. PTL.

Just For The Record

I called my hair lady/stylist, Cecile, tonight and left a message. I should have an appointment with her sometime this week. I'm going to get this whole hair thing worked out--cut and color--not sure what color yet...

You'll just have to wait and see.

J.lo how do you feel about bleached blonde hair? :)

Dry Those Eyes

Tonight I came to the conclusion that running water while cutting up onions really does help keep you from tearing up. I always thought as I got older I would be able to cut up onions without having watery/burning eyes--but I still shed a few tears everytime.

I made dinner tonight and spiced it up by adding some sauted onions. I decided to try the whole "turn the water on while you chop onions" theory and it worked. I didn't shed a tear--had a little bit of burnage, but not too bad!

What's That Noise?

Right now it is 11:10am. My day started this morning at 8:00am. It started with me waking up late. My plan was to wake up (about 7:30am) leave my house around 8:15 and meet my friend Holly at church in Visalia at 9:00am. Sounds pretty simple, but wait...

What actually happened was I woke up at 8:00 (30 minutes late), sat up in bed and started thinking through my options. I decided I would still get ready and try and leave my apartment by 8:15am. I got dressed, did the make-up thing, threw my hair up and was out the door by 8:17am.

I was on the road and all was going well--I was singing along to Carrie Underwood, driving down the 99, when all of the sudden, I heard a noise. A loud reoccuring noise at that. I was pretty sure I knew what it was...and was not excited about it...

I pulled off at the nearest exit, which was right before I got to Selma. I can't even remember the exact street, but when I took the exit and pulled over on the side of the road, all I saw around me were tractors, cows and a large brick building with a metal gate around it.

I got out of my car and sure enough my tire was shot. I honestly laughed at this moment, because it was just comical to me because my day had already started out a little rocky--and sometimes you just have to laugh.

I knew I had no other option then to put my spare tire on and then drive it somewhere to get the tire replaced. I put my flashers on, opened my trunk, got out my spare, took out my "emergency road side assistant kit" (something I never really thought I would use, but boy did it come in handy). So I have this big tool box open, a tire on the ground, me in nice church clothes on the ground trying to figure out exactly how this whole changing a tire thing worked.

I couldn't get the jack out of my trunk, because it was bolted to the side--obviously it had never been used in the 10 years the car had been around. I almost and I highlight almost shed a few tears, but I stopped myself and realized there was no reason to cry and I just stayed focused.

I continued to struggle with getting the jack out of my car, when I look up and there is a gentlemen walking towards me. I was relieved, but also nervous. Remember I am out in the middle of NOWHERE. What was he doing out there too...?

Long story short, this gentlemen (who's name I found out was George) took over for me. He did it all--jacked up my car, took off my old tire, put on my spare and put my car back on level ground. I offered to help (not sure what I would do, but thought the offer was a good idea) but he said he was fine and he had it all under control. I literally just stood back and watched.

When George was all done, he said, "Sorry it took me so long". (It took him like 15 minutes) I laughed and thanked him for his help. I asked him what he was doing out in the area and he said he had just got off work from the Juviniele Correction Facility.

I smiled, shook George's hand and thanked him again for all his help. He told me a pretty girl like me shouldn't be on the ground in the dirt wrestling with a tire. It was quite the scene when I was attemping to change the tire myself--wish you could have seen it. But I'm sure you can just imagine.

Apparently you're really not supposed to drive on the freeway with a spare tire, but I had no option. I told him where I was going to go to get my tire replaced (which was about 12-14 miles from where I was) and he told me he would follow me on the freeway until I reahced my exit, just to be sure I made it off the freeway okay. This man didn't have to do any of this--but he did. Bless his heart.

Now, almost three hours later, I am back exactly where I started my morning off. I didn't make it to church this morning but I did make it to Wal-Mart and got a new tire and oil change.

Moral of the story: There needs to be more men like George in the world. PTL for George.

Don't Hurt Me...

Just a couple of days ago a friend of mine asked me what it meant to be vulnerable. I thought about it for a minute and tried to find words that would describe what it meant--or at least what it meant according to my own definition. I used words such as, unguarded, open, scared, etc... It took me a while to describe it. So tonight, I decided to look up the definition online. Here is what I found:

Vulnerable: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded

After I explained to them what I thought it meant, they said, "So it sounds like it's a bad thing to be vulnerable".

Again, I thought about it and concluded that it does sound like a bad thing. I mean, who wants to be open to be physically or emotionally wounded. Not I, that is for sure.

Though the definition makes vulnerability seem like a bad thing, I think we have to be vulnerable at certain times and with certain people in our lives.

Heaven knows if a marriage is going to work out, both people will need to be willing to be vulnerable with the other person.

Being vulnerable isn't bad. Maybe scary, but not bad.

Think about that...

Just Don't Do It...

The title of this blog speaks for itself. Box hair colors...just don't do it. Two points Jen. Okay...three points.

There Is a First For Everything...

This weekend was my first experience driving in the snow (and on ice) and the first time I had to put chains on a vehicle. Now, though it was freezing and snowing and I had NO IDEA how in the heck to put chains on a car, I along with a few other people, figured it out and were able to continue on our way. Here is what I learned from this experience...

1. When buying chains for a vehicle, make sure they are the right size for your tires. No, not all car tires (or snow chains) are created equal.

2. Wear gloves when in the snow and trying to handle metal in the FREEZING cold. Your hands will thank you and it will save a few choice words from coming out of your mouth.

3. Make sure your chains come with bungee cords to help secure them in place--if they don't (like one set of chains we had) you will have to be REALLY creative in finding a way to keep them on.

4. Stay calm and smile. When you're nervous, your face will show it and when your face shows it, others also become nervous.

5. Snow sucks. I take that back. Snow can be very pretty, however, it is much prettier when you are sitting inside by a warm fire and are looking at it outside through a window. It is not so pretty when you are having to lay on the road in the snow on your side to hook the chain behind the inside of the tire.

6. It's often said that every woman should know how to change a tire and I would venture to say every woman should also know how to put chains on her vehicle. You never know when you just might need to know how to do it...

PTL I live in a snow-free city. I will take the heat over the snow any day.

Do You Know Who YOU Look Like...?

I've come to the conclusion that I believe somewhere in the world everyone has a twin (or rather, someone who looks A LOT like them). Take this picture for example.


I took this picture of this girl because she looks SO MUCH like my BFF j.lo's sister Ashley. J.lo and I were in awe when we saw here and we thought the resemblence was a little creepy.

So just know that someone, somewhere out there, looks like you--and you never know, you just might run into them someday...

Heavenly Goodness...

This is my next experiment in baking...chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies. We'll see how this one goes. Hopefully I won't break out into a sweat like I did when I made those white chocolate truffles!

99% Sure Of It...

The mirrors at the gym make you look bigger than you really are. Think about it...if the mirrors make you look bigger it will make you want to work out more and keep going to the gym, thus you will keep paying your membership fees.

I think it's a conspiracy to get more money. Because heaven knows I look better in my own mirror at home then I do in the one at the gym.

Or maybe my own mirror at home is the one messed up...oh good golly I hope not...

Thirsty?

"Water from a broken well will make you thirst again..."

How many times have I thirsted and went to a broken well for refreshment? Ouch.

How 'bout you?

I miss Lisa. Looking at old pictures and came across this one and it made me smile. Counting the days until you come home!

Consumer Watch

Don't ever buy "Dean's Guacamole Dip". It is disgusting. Definitely a no-go situation. Spend the extra buck and buy a different kind. You'll be glad you did.

And I couldn't get a picture of it because there website is "experiencing technical difficulties"... hmmmm.

That's Melanie The Mannequin

I didn't drink at all last night but I still managed to knock over an end table (that had drinks on it) and a candle... and they were two seperate incidents. Not sure if that's talent or just being clumbsy.

Had a great time dancing, watching other people who had way too much to drink, counting down the new year, and driving around with a mannequin in my back seat...

Double 0 seven is here.