Saturday, January 31, 2009

25 Things About Me...

1. I don’t eat any pork products. No sausage, no ham, no bacon. This isn’t for any religious reason, but mainly because the thought of eating a pig grosses me out.

2. Having the volume up really loud on a TV is super annoying to me.

3. I don’t look in the mirror when I brush my teeth.

4. All of my jobs have involved working for non-profits.

5. I could watch Food Network all day. No joke.

6. I will be attending 13 weddings this year. And there could still be more to come…

7. My grandma and grandpa have been married for 65 years. If I got married today I would need to live till I was 89 to accomplish that…

8. My brother has a way of calming me down when I’m really upset like no one else.

9. Jen (my best friend) and I went and had pictures taken together at a studio when we were 13. I just found one of those pictures the other day… Too funny. And no we didn’t have neon butterflies as a backdrop…

10. I love to people watch. And yes, I do it a lot.

11. I am trying to learn how to listen better. I often find myself trying to do multiple things while someone is talking to me and then I’m not fully listening to them.

12. I wish I was on a sleep schedule. I would love to go to bed at 11pm and wake up around 7am everyday. I feel like a new person when I do this consistently.

13. I’m determined to live in San Diego one day.

14. When I’m thinking or pondering something, I play with my eyelashes.

15. I would classify myself as a pretty sound sleeper. I can sleep through a lot. I think after living on a college campus for 6 years now, I’ve had to learn how to do this.

16. No matter what time of year it is, my hands are usually cold. And I get cold really really easily. In the summer, if Derek and I are in a car together, he will turn on the air FULL BLAST but I would prefer to sit in the warm car for a minute and soak up the sun.

17. I have officially converted to Mac…and I love it.

18. I love my grandparents more then words can express. I see them every week and often choose to hang out with them over meeting up with friends. Not because I feel obligated to, but because I have fun with them. My grandpa is 89 and my grandma is 84. I hope to have wisdom like they posses one day…

19. I like to sing along to songs or even make up my own songs to sing… And I sing at random times…

20. I have been to professional baseball and basketball games and want to go to a pro football game sometime.

21. I love the smell of a summertime BBQ and the summer night air. There is nothing like it.

22. I’m a lot like my dad…but when people meet my mom they say that I’m just like her. I look like my dad (and take after the Kruse side) but I have traits of my mom’s personality. I’ve come to accept this and appreciate that my mom is such a sweet and loving person and is the most positive person I know.

23. I have a HUGE sweet tooth. HUGE!

24. Whenever my dad and I have serious conversations, we usually always stand in my parent’s kitchen. He always stands leaning against the sink and I always stand leaning against the stove. I don’t know how this started…but it stands true even to this day.

25. My favorite holiday is 4th of July. I love the summer and spending a day hanging out with friends, BBQing and enjoying fireworks at night. This past 4th of July I spent in Washington D.C. with friends watching fireworks coming from the National from the rooftop of an apartment

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Obama Smokes...

I just found this out. And when I was told this, I didn't believe it at first. "He smokes?" I thought. With all of the health information out about the ill effects of smoking, how it causes cancer and leads to so so many health issues that affect both the individual and their family, how could HE smoke?

And then I started thinking about it more, and for some reason, the more I thought about, the more real he became in my mind. He's a person. I mean yeah he is the President of the United States, but beyond that "title" he is a person like you and me. One who has joys, fears, pain and things going on in his personal life that bring him immense joy and things that sadden him to tears.

By no means do I endorse smoking and trust me, I do have my own personal views on the issue, but knowing that he smokes and that he has been trying to quit and wants to quit, reminded me that as he begins to fight political battles in our country and around the world, he is also fighting battles of his own in his personal life....just like you and me are. Daily.

He is a person. That may seem simple, but coming to that understanding was quite profound for me today.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Just a few...

I haven't really posted many blogs of actual substance lately. I've come to realize, for whatever reason, I tend to post less when I'm thinking more. Strange, I know. It may be because I have so many different thoughts going on in my head, that it's difficult for me to actually put them into words, let alone cohesive sentences.

So, instead of trying to craft a cohesive post, I'm just going to bullet point a few things that have been swirling around in my mind lately...now granted, these are just a few...

0 The idea of seasons has been on my mind a lot lately. Not like the seasons of the weather (although I have LOVED the warm spring like weather we've been having lately!) but more so the seasons of life and what makes up a season and how we transition from one to the next.

0 I've been drinking more water lately and less diet soda and within two weeks I can already see and feel a difference in my body and skin. Many of you know I LOVE Diet Pepsi, so it hasn't been easy...

0 I was looking at my calendar a few nights ago and realized Spring is going to fly by with so many things going on. Between a busy season at work, to weddings, to high school ministry outings, to bridal showers and bachlorette party weekends, there is a lot going on.

0 As of lately I've learned I still have A LOT to learn about myself, others, God and the world as a whole. And come to think of it, I think I will ALWAYS have a lot to learn about these things...

0 At times I've seen myself try and control my life rather then enjoy it. Not only have I wanted to control my own life, but I've wanted to control others, and that never proves helpful to anyone.

0 I am excited to watch the presidential inauguration on Tuesday.

0 One of the houses I house-sit at makes strange noises and scared me more then once. And then my mind started to play tricks on me and I had to remind myself I was being silly. Just plain silly. Many of you would have laughed at me...actually all of you probably would have...

0 I need to love more, pray more, listen more and judge less.

More to come...

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

And I'm wearing a t-shrit right now...

MINNEAPOLIS (Jan. 14) – Arctic air extended its grip Wednesday with below-zero temperatures stretching from Montana to northern New England and frost nipping the Gulf Coast. A few ski areas in Vermont and northern Minnesota closed for the day because of the cold — 38 below zero at International Falls, with the wind chill during the night estimated at 50 below. The temperature at Bolton, Vt., was 10 below zero and operators of the Bolton Valley ski resort feared that skiers could freeze if a lift malfunctioned.

And what was the high yesterday here in Fresno? In the 60's? Yeah... Wow.

Monday, January 12, 2009

It's always amazes me


that there are still states that allow smoking in restaurants. I guess I take for granted the fact that when you walk into a restaurant here in California, you're not greeted by any smoke in the air. The thought of being asked, "Smoking or Non?" always amazes me. This is one thing I am proud California has done and it makes me glad I live in the Golden State.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Nina and Scott...


are engaged! I COULD NOT be and have not been happier for any other couple. I've been to my fair share of weddings and seen lots of people get married. Nina and Scott have dated for close to 10 years...yes, TEN years and they are now engaged to get married. She told Jen and I tonight, and as you can imagine, there was lots of screaming and giggling and excitement in the air.

Scott and Nina give me hope--well, Jesus gives me hope and I see Jesus in them and in their relationship. They love God and one another deeply. This is one wedding I can't wait for!

And for those of you wondering, Scott won't have that goatee for the wedding :)

Monday, January 5, 2009

Thursday, January 1, 2009

A Look Back on 2008... Was 2008 Great??

1) What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Went to Washington D.C. and New York. Went dancing with Lisa! Found a mouse in my apartment. Moved to a different apartment. Decided on grad school. Visited a prison. Celebrated 12 years of friendship with my BFF. Bought a Wii.

2) Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for 2009?
You know, I don’t really ever make resolutions for New Year’s. I tend to make them all throughout the year. So no, I guess I didn’t make any. Which, in a way, means I didn’t break any…

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep. A few friends. Two I can think of off the top of my head...

4) Did anyone close to you die?
A former Campus Life student. So, so sad.

5) What countries did you visit?
None! That is no bueno.

6) What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
More of a passion for reading.

7) What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There are a few...and if I listed them here people would ask me why they are etched in my memory, so I'm just not going to list any...

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Beginning the grad school process.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Food poisoning. And yep, it really is as bad as people say it is.

10) What was the best thing you bought?
My Wii!

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother, Nina and Derek all for finishing their last semester of college! May will be a big graduation month!

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, 2008 was an election year...enough said.

13) Where did most of your money go?
Eating out!

14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to New York!

15) What song will always remind you of 2008?
Bleeding Love, Chicken Fried and All Summer Long

16) Compared to this time last year, are you: Wiser? Oh yeah. I think I've come into a better understanding of life (and myself)... Healthier? Probably about the same. Richer? "Richer"...that word is so subjective...

17) What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I'd read more...

18) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Over thinking certain things. Drinking Diet Pepsi.

19) How did you spend Christmas?
With family. It was a good Christmas. One of the best in quite sometime.

20) Did you fall in love in 2008?
Haha. Again, another subjective question :) I am blessed by many people who I love and who love me.

21) What was your favorite blog post that you wrote?
"Words That Change Life" -- It was very thought provoking...at least to me it was!

22) What were your favorite TV programs?
"Jon and Kate Plus 8" and I have to say I did start watching "Oprah" more towards the end of the year oh AND "The Biggest Loser"!!

23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate? Such a strong word. Can't say that I do. There are some characteristics of people that I don't like very much, but not people in particular.

24) What was the best book you read?
"Think Pink" (It's a sociology book...what can I say...)

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?
That's easy...The Jonas Brothers!!! Haha...just kidding. I'll have to keep thinking about that one.

26) What did you want and get?
Opportunity to travel to new places!

27) What did you want and not get?
Opportunity to travel with J.lo

28) What was your favorite film of this year?
"Seven Pounds" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" both movies I saw within the past two weeks and both had really good underlying messages.

29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went out to eat a lot...kept the celebration going for at least a week. And I turned 24...

30) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
Tina Fay

31) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Not much different than last year.

32) What kept you sane?
Good friends.

33) Who did you miss?
Friends who have moved away...or those who got married and fell off the face of the earth.

34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Time goes by fast. Life isn't fair at times. Listen to "that" feeling...you know what feeling...when I did, I was glad I did and when I didn't, I regretted it...

35) What did you gain this year?
More self awareness

36) What did you lose this year?
A few pounds

37) Who was the best new person you met?
Some of the freshmen women at FPU


38) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
You cant hurry love
No, you just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
Its a game of give and take

You cant hurry love
No, you just have to wait
You got to trust, give it time
No matter how long it takes

Here's to '09...