New Blog

Hey all!!! Im moving my ramblings to this new site! Come check it out!!

Moving Forward One Day at a Time:

http://movingforwardoneday.wordpress.com/

:)

Ever talk to someone and you think, "I bet they're good looking" just from their voice? Totally had that today with a guy from the Newport Beach Fire Department. But, considering he is a fireman, I bet he is hot regardless. :)

Nice Words

Today I had probably one of the nicest things said about me, possibly ever.

I was texted a picture of a beautiful sunrise, and the text read:

Sunrise today. When I see things like this, it reminds me of you. I don't try to describe it, just appreciate the view, and wish everyone could see it. Like a masterpiece painting.

I think I'm gonna smile all day today :)

Good times with a good friend and the Gypsy Den

Yesterday I had the opportunity to have a 1 on 1 breakfast with Miss Christina Grant. I am spelling her name out like this because very soon it will be MRS!!!!!!!! Christina Hunter. ah!!! Yes, Christina was in town and although I was so upset that I missed her girls night out due to a service event that I had committed to and then wound up falling through! I was so happy that her and I made plans to meet at the Gypsy Den, just us 2. It was so great to talk and catch up and eat good food. Can I just say I love sharing meals with friends now? I want the time to last and last like it does in other countries instead of feeling like I need to hurry up to finish so the waitress/waiter can turn the table. We decided to make our exit after a cup of water was spilled, oops! time to go! :)
We were able to catch up on family, and boys (or boy in her case, and lack thereof in my case, haha) and work, and weddingness. It was so fun. Thanks Christina for taking the time to have breakfast with me.
I think there needs to be more slowing down, meals shared, lives exchanged and lived together.

T-minus 2 weeks

I am VERY excited right now!!!

Priorities

Warning: A rant is below should you dare to read
I have been battling with my mind lately. I thought I would get some of it out, being recently inspired by a friend who did the same.
Orange County's materialism has always bugged me. Perhaps its the one thing that has always been nagging at me, reminding me that OC will most likely not be my home for the rest of my life. So many things have brought this on, the most recent being my mission trip to South America. While there I lived differently, mainly with less "things". What I notice here is that everyone NEEDS to have the latest and greatest. What they have works, but it is not the newest, and therefore it is not good enough, and frankly I am sick and tired of it. Everyone is so concerned about new shoes, and new purses, new cell phones, new cars, etc. It's all about keeping up with the Jones's and its disgusting. I feel I can say that bc I have been a victim of it myself.
How can we be so concerned with if we have the latest model or not, or if we have the newest shoes, and what are the celebs wearing? I am sure I am looked down upon at my work for not always buying new clothes and accessories, and still wearing clothes from , gasp! 2005. There are so many people around this world that are in need. And here we are, in want, falsely believing that new purchases will improve our life, and yet, still wondering why we are not happy.
What sparked this? My desire to buy the droid. I am switching to verizon. I will have to get a new phone. I wanted the droid. Sure it costs $200, but it's so useful! Will I break it? Probably. Can I get a very good phone for next to nothing and use that money for something else? Yes. And still, my selfish self wanted the droid. Well, I am not going to get it. I kinda need a new purse, my black one is almost falling apart. Can I still use it? Yes. No new purse it is then. I need to start standing up and living out what I actually believe in, and stop giving in to the disgusting materialism that is Orange County.

Too many updates, too little time

So I realize that I have not posted anything in a very long time. I am going to attempt to do a catch up and post up some pictures from the fall. I will also attempt to blog more often, so that i don't have to do a bunch of catch-ups, bc summaries are no fun :)

First up is pumpkin carving party '09!
First we went to the pumpkin patch and had fun taking pictures, picking out pumpkins

Then we went to Summer's house to carve 'em up!

Here is how mine turned out!

Next up! Halloween 2009!!
My work allowed us to dress up.

Then a group of us went out to Hennessey's.

Whew! that was a close one!

PJ & Karen got married!!

Of course there had to be some fun dancing involved and a little silliness :)

A group of us went to the Getty museum in LA.
I love this painting

WOOO!!! Crazy matrix moves, not even touching!

Group pic in front of the gardens

Then, I went to crew for my friend with his 100 mile race, Chimera 100. The race is between Ortega fwy and Silverado Canyon.

Of course, the 1 day it pours in CA, is the day of the race. Mike was a trooper and kept going, but the race was called part way through. He only (only!) made 22 miles through. But how much does this not look like fun?


So that is a little of what I have been up to. Hopefully I will do better in the coming new year updating. :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!!!

Christmas Photo!!!

If you're not lucky enough to get one of the cards this year, dont fret!!! Here is the pic we are sending out :)



Merry Christmas, hopefully more to come soon!

Crazy San Francisco Trip

My Friday a couple weeks ago ended with a phone call to my buddy Mike asking each other what we were going to do for that weekend. Both of us didn't have many plans. Then, Mike mentioned that his friend had extra tickets to the 49'ers game against the Rams and well........ we went!!! Mike had a friend visiting from out of town, so traveling Saturday night was out. That left us with driving to San Francisco and back IN ONE DAY!!!! We left at 5am and drove, and drove and drove and then drove some more. Soon we saw bridges and skyline!!! After driving an hour in the wrong direction (insert minor freakout session by Becky here)and then driving back, we arrived at the stadium!!!



Woo! LIVE NFL GAME!!

Look at all the people in the red! ( I wore my angel's jacket to try and fit in. Covered the "A" of course) :)

We watched the 49'ers crush the Rams, and then left to head home!!! It was so awesome to see my first NFL game ever! I'm hooked and so excited to see another one! At a different stadium, because one thing I was not aware of was the 2 hour traffic to exit :(

We wound up driving Michael's friend back home, because he missed his flight due to the traffic. After dropping everyone off, I got home around 1am. So, let's recap: 1. left at 5am for San Francisco, 2. got lost, 3. Had minor freak out episode, 4. watched a great game, 5. got stuck in traffic, 6. drove a total of 18 hours in 1 day for a live football game. Sounds like a crazy hectic thing, and it was, but it was also a ton of fun, with great company. :)

My Super Cute Family

I haven't posted in a while, because evertime I think about it, I am at work, but my pictures are at home. I didn't want to do another post without some pics from NJ or SF, my two most recent trips, so I am compromising and posting up cute pics of my fam taken while in NJ for Jody's wedding. Stories and more pics to come.

This is one of us outside the church after the ceremony. See the beautiful green leaves?!!! And how cute is my mom in her dress!!!

Robb and I posing outside by the lake at the reception.

It was so great to go back to the Jers. I miss it.

Ahhh, the Corporate World, How I HATE thee....

I hate quarter end. I thought I liked it because it made me busy, and time flew. But, I realize, I just like that it makes time fly in a job I don't like. And every quarter they push up the deadlines, because, and I quote "Anything can be met." Sure, but at what cost?!?!? My sanity!!!!? One man has been helping everyone all day, not complaning. I need help from him. My boss would like me to bug him about it tonight. The man has had no rest from us! None, yet, anything can be done. Unrealistic deadlines turn into doable. Why am I here? I miss Dunkin' Donuts..... More to come on the ultra Fabulous NJ trip!!!!

My Bike was stolen....:(

As I walked out of my class at OCC, I had this feeling of excitement, I AM A STUDENT AGAIN! It's fun, it's exhilirating, it's stinkin' frustrating to walk to the bike rack that you locked your bike up at and realize, there is no bike there. Yep, that's right, my bike was stolen. Not only did I lock my bike, but I locked it with a steel cable through the front tire and frame, meaning 1 thing; they used cutters. Don't get me wrong, my bike was the cutest thing out there in my opinion, how could someone not want to have it, ha, but seriously steal it?! Amongst other bikes, other aspiring students, some person came in with the intent to steal, or else they wouldn't have the equipment capable to remove my bike. How sad. What has become of people really? One friend laughed at me and told me to have a heart because maybe they needed it. Really? I mean, I do have a heart, but can we stop for 1 minute and at least admit that sucks? Am I supposed to feel sorry for someone that goes with intent to steal by bringing equipment to cut steel, and say, well, yes, yes, but they NEEDED that bike, so its ok? I was sad, well first shocked, then sad. Pathetic and sad, as I walked, slumped shoulders to the Campus Safety office, sniffling, trying to act like a big girl that doesn't give a rip about material possessions, when really, inside I felt violated in some way. I told God that it sucked. I'm pretty sure He agrees, things that happen in this world, suck. I tried telling another friend, but basically got blown off. I was sad, walking home, just wanting someone to hug, mascara dripping down my cheeks, oh I was a sight to see, and I called my dad, who is the best. He calmed me down, agreed that ya, it sucks, and its not about the money (though, in my current state, the $$ that I just spent on a bike 2 months ago kinda does pang a little) that's it's horrible and how could he help. He listened, consoled, agreed, just what I needed. Seriously, dads are the best. Bike stealers....... not so much.

Making a comeback..

Hey, if Michael Vick can do it, so can I. Ok, bad analogy. But readers, I am coming back!!! Inspired by the people who actually admit reading this: Lydia, Christina, Liz, and my fam, and by my other friend whom I wish I could write even 10% as good as her, Dani. So, there's no promise of greatness, nor a promise that I'll grab your attention and keep you intrigued. Nonetheless, I'M COMING BACK!!!

Happy Halloween!

Ok, I know it is a bit late, but I wanted to just throw up some pictures from Drive's Halloween party. I was very impressed by the costumes. Here are some of my fav's:
First we have Mary Poppins (Loni) and Bert (Ben)

Next is Ragedy Anne (me) and Dorothy (Jill) w/ Toto

These are the friends I party hopped with:
Geisha girl (Ashley) Punky Brewster (Krystal)Michael Phelps (Bobby) and me

The girls:
Velma - Scooby Doo (Dani), a Miner sprayed gold, aka "Gold Digger" (Kara), me, Pink Lady (Liz), Flapper (Christina), and I'm not sure what, a man? (Rebecca)

And the winners for best costume (in my opinion) the Scooby Doo Clan!!! Complete with Scooby and Ghost!

Carving Pumpkins!

Tuesday I went to a pumpkin carving party hosted by the awesome Summer. I also got to see miss Jennifer Morgan, which is always a plus. We had amazing pork tacos, cake, cookies, and CANDY CORN for dessert, AND we went to a pumpkin patch!!! I hadn't been to one since I lived in New Jersey, so I was very excited and a little picture happy! Here are some.

The Pumpkin Patch and Carnival in Corona
Look at all the pumpkins!!

Jennifer and I with the scarecrow!

Jennifer, Summer, and I. Aren't we strong?! :)

I dunno..... I look like a monkey.

Our finished products!
From Left: Shannon, Jennifer, me, Jen, Summer, Lauren

Random Acts of Kindness

Last week i experienced 3 random acts of kindness that I wanted to share. Just nice to know that there are people out there that do nice things, just cause.
Here they are:
Running Store
I was at the gym and they were having an open house where stores could come in and display their products. One was a running store (mind, 2 were food, and not health food, mexican food, and chick-fillet, are they serious?!?! I am in a gym, a place I should be able to call my sanctuary where I can distract myself from eating junk food, and they put it right in front of my nose! Luckily, I stood strong) So, I asked the running store if they had an GU and running belts for water bottles. (notice the guy with the packet in his mouth) The running peoples told me that they didnt have GU nor belts for water bottle there, but they did have them at their store, and if I went before Oct. 31st, i could use this $15 cert!!!! I noticed on the cert that the amount was for $10, and he had crossed it out and wrote $15, and then signed by it! how exiciting $15 bucks off!!!!
H&M
This clothing store is becoming very popular to me. Don't worry, I still am obssessed with Express and will always be, but I bought a knit hat, grey long sleeves, and a dress, for only $47!!!! Insane! During checkout I asked if I could have hangers, and the checker replied, sadly no. When I finished paying, I notice her stuff a hanger in my bag, say shhhh!!! and hand me my bag. Sweet!!! no reason at all, I got a hanger!!
And now for the ultimate act of kindness...
Wig Store
I went to a wig store to try on dark hair, so I could get a good idea of how I looked with dark hair, before I dyed it. (sidenote - i look HORRIBLE with dark hair, and got it highlighted with some low-lights instead) The story was closing, but this cool punk girl, who scared me when I first saw her, let me in. I confess that I am not even there to buy a wig, but wanted to try one on so I could see how I look with dark hair (and right about now, I feel very shallow). They told me it was $3 per wig to try on, I ask to pay with debit, but the machine is down, bc they are closed. So, I am keeping them open, to not even try a wig. I start digging thru my purse and pull out the 1 dollar bill that I have and proceed to start counting quarters. Then, the lady behind the desk told me, "it's ok, you dont have to pay, jsut try the wig." REALLY!?!? ok! So the crazy punk girl with bleach blonde and dark black hair with her nose ring (i think she was about 16) took me back to try on the wig I picked out. I hated it. I wanted a pick to show my friends for second opinions, bc of course I cannot make these decisions on my own, but.... I left my phone in the car. So, punk girl, offers to take the pic with HER phone and then text me the picture. WOW!!! So I said yes, and she took it, and I left with a free try-on and proof of a potential debacle.
I LOVE PEOPLE! - something to keep in mind when I have to deal with other, not-so-nice people
3 separate people, 3 separate occasions, 3 nice gestures. Pay it Forward

Stages of Grief

I have been feeling better about things lately, and so I decided to look up the stages of grief, bc I felt like I was moving right along. Lately, I have felt I am in the anger stage. I am no longer feeling sorry for myself, and not denying that its even happening. So I look at these stages, and find anger as #2. STAGE 2!!! How am I only on stage 2? How many more are there? Well, there are 5 in total, anger is #2. But depression is #4, and I feel that I have def. already experienced that one, and Bargaining is #3, which i am NOT going to do. So, technically, I am only one step away from the end...... acceptance. Only 1 step away! WOOHOO!!! This calls for some major celebration!

Bored......

You know when you are sooooooooo bored that you try to add some life to the time that is passing by eating? But, you're not even hungry!!!!!!! And yet you think, I guess I could just eat my apple and peanut butter early today...that would kill about 10 min.... UGH! My job!

Cristina and Becky pose update:

These next two poses are classic Christina and Becky poses. I swear we have dozens. These 2 were taken at our friend's wedding this past weekend, some more pics to come!


This next one is just for fun!! Another wedding, but how fun are we!!! Christina did not take her bag 'o candy home, while I proceeded to scarf the Rock Candy like it was going outta style, and took about 5 more home! :)

Happy Pre-Halloween!

I went to a Halloween party this past weekend. It was a lot of fun to see old faces and talk with friends. Im really excited about this year's Halloween, bc last year I was in Argentina, and if you are a Christian down there, you think Halloween is only of the devil, and can't have any fun with it. So I started this year a bit early :). Sidenote - I do have shorts on under my costume. Happy Pre-Halloween!!



Rebecca, Me, and Chrissy

Anne and I

Really Pernevi? He is some Thai national sport, fighter, notice the headband, hilarious!