Jurnee Smolett

I remember her from "Full House", Michelle's friend...Little Richard's niece (on the show).

I just saw her in "The Great Debaters" with Denzel Washington (he's so cute).

Pretty crazy!

When I plan my babies...

they will not be delivered near a major, gift affiliated, holiday.

I have several friends and family members who've had or will have their birthdays take place within one to two weeks of Christmas.

I spoke to one of their mothers and she proudly stated that she asked her son what he'd prefer, a Christmas or birthday gift.

What a jip!

How can you cut your kid out? He deserves two gifts, just like everyone else...

poor kid, it wasn't his idea to be born near Christmas.

Dear My Future Children,

Mommy will try her best to have you between the months of February and November.
I promise!

Love,
Mom

2008 in Shows

Here are some of the shows (seasons) I'd like to start watching this year:

And American Gladiators (no picture is included because I seem to only get the 1990's gladiators). It begins January 6th.

What are you looking forward to?

New friends

Liz
Rhonda
Ernestine
V
Thomas
Anthony
Dennis
Monica
Stanely Dianne
Ivonne

I was blessed enough to have met you today...

and am praying for you.

Downtown

I spent the last two days in Downtown LA.

Last night, when I went to see George Lopez, a full on drunk fight broke out in the middle of the show...

Today when we went to do a service project on Skid Row, I saw a guy take his fake eye out of his socket and show it to all of us on the metro...

Ah, I love LA.

Recent Pictures

FAMILY PICTURES

MAKING HOLIDAY TREATS

OUR LAST 2007 DISNEY VISIT

Christmas Resolutions

After celebrating this Christmas I thought through a couple of things I'd like to achieve for Christmas 2008.

Here's my list:

Learn the "12 Days of Christmas" song (totally memorized)
Learn to bake, amazingly delicious chocolate chip cookies (not with pre-made cookie dough)
Send out my Christmas cards by Monday, December 1st 2008 ( I never sent out this year's cards)
Set up a Christmas savings for gifts
Teach my nieces and nephews even more Christmas carols
Go caroling with friends

How about you?

Holiday Weekend

I was immersed in all things Christmas this entire weekend:

I...

-Shopped for gifts
-Cooked
-Wrapped gifts
-Went to a Christmas party
-Baked holiday funfetti cupcakes for my students
-Taught a lesson on Jesus' birth
-Finished my gift shopping
-Shopped for church Christmas stuff (mostly baking things)
-Baked over 100 chocolate chip cookies
-Made 105 Christmas goodie bags
-Sang Christmas carols
-Baked until 3AM
-Woke up early to complete 3 large and one small holiday home baked treat bins. (Which turned out GREAT!) They included chocolate chip cookies, brownies, holiday funfetti cupcakes, sugar cookies in the shape of hearts and stars, holiday marshmallows.

With the exception of wrapping some last minute gifts (my mom summoned me as her personal gift wrapper this year), I'm pretty much ready!

Christmas, here I come!

365

This is my 365th post.

May seem like an obscure number to you, but it means a lot to me!

Wow...that's a lot of posts.

Third Christmas

A sweet family affair.

My cousins (who live next door to me) threw a pre-holiday party for all of our cousins. Their goal was to reunite a lot of us. The ones who got married, moved away, grew up, went to college, etc.

Many of them brought their kids, spouses, some of us just brought our appetites...and a heck of a good time!

We played Pictionary, Loteria and Bingo.

I won nothing, but was given a consolation prize at the end.

I really great night!

Second Christmas

(I just realized, as I was beginning to post about "Third Christmas" that I never posted about "Second Christmas"...it's late, I know...but here it goes...)

I'm keeping this short:

It was our Staff Christmas Lunch (like two weeks ago).

The only highlight, really, is the the fact my Secret Santa (Gaby) got me a new Roxy wallet that I've been wanting FOREVER.

I also got my Secret Santa a really sweet pajama set.

Oh, I ate a ton!

Question:

Is rain water safe to drink?

Last night it started to rain while we were at California Adventure.

Janette loves the rain and said at least we wouldn't get thirsty (just open up and drink).
Howard said that she shouldn't do that, he asked her if she knew where that water came from...her answer: "from heaven".

So, where does rain water really come from and is it safe to drink?

Does anyone know?

Cold Pillows...

are one of my favorite things.

Even in the winter, I love laying down and feeling the cold pillow sham against my skin.

Sometimes when I'm in my room (and bedtime is nowhere in sight), I run my hand over my pillows...just to feel the coolness against my skin.

I like taking naps during the day, just so I can feel my cheek touch that special freshness.

In the summer I flip my pillows over throughout the night, to keep the coolness coming.

Oh, I love cold pillows.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is just a couple of days away...

just wanted to say it before I get too busy and forget.

HSM

Last Sunday I went with my sister and my two nieces to Downtown Disney (to Libby Lu) to get the girls Libby make-overs; hair, nails, make-up...the whole thing, for Alora's birthday.

As we were getting out of the car, I told the girls that I wanted to learn a dance from High School Musical (they know EVERY song and EVERY dance). I said I mostly wanted to learn "We're All in This Together" or "Bop to the Top".

So there in the parking lot I made my first attempt.

As we walked toward the shops all Alora could say is, "Oh, Jessica! You're my favorite silly aunt!".

After cake and ice cream at the house, we played High School Musical songs, danced, (choreographed and un-choreographed musical numbers) sang and laughed.

Being called a "favorite silly aunt" was definitely the highlight of my week!

What would be the highlight of this week, would be to finally learn all of the dance steps to at least one of those songs.

Weddings...Whew!

I spent last night at Damaris' house.

We spent the better part of the night (and into the early hours of today) helping Mercy with her guest list for her wedding. Truth be told, after 1:30am I dozed off a couple of times.

The last I remember her count was at 480-something. And that didn't even include her fiance's people (which apparently aren't many...this is good).

She went over family, friends, work friends, family friends, church members, church friends. She considered who could make it, who would make it, who'd be offended, who'd be hurt, who'd bring kids, who wouldn't be allowed to bring kids, her wedding party.

At the end of it all I concluded:

Making my guest list will probably be one of my least favorite parts of planning my wedding.
There are so many factors that play into it all.

I know I'm eventually going to have to do it...I'm just bracing myself.

Mc Donald's Means Business

This morning, while on our way in to work, Maribel and I stopped by Mc Donald's. We picked up two coffees and 2 sausage burritos (which were surprisingly good).

I placed the beverage container on the floor by my feet. Seems fine, right?

Oh, not when she made a sharp turn!

Coffee spilled on the floor of the car and all over my shoe, through the shoe, through the sock and on to my foot.

I now have two burn marks on my foot. Ouch, it really hurt.

When the cups say "Caution: I'm Hot!", they REALLY mean it.

So close...

it's almost here.

Can't wait!

I Like Junk

If you know me it's no surprise for you to hear that I like to eat junk food.

I like fast food, Coke, Cup 'Noodles, chips, candy, Top Ramen, etc. And I eat it all the time. It's hard for me to have moderation when it comes to food.

The other night, while driving back to California (from Mexico) we stopped at a gas station and I bought some Flaming Hot Fritos (my favorite chips) and a cherry Slurpee. I can't tell you how happy eating and drinking these made me!

Then I googled Fritos and this picture came up:

Is it bad that even after seeing what the chips actually contain I'm still planning on buying some on my way home?

#3 Romantic Picnic

You can view my first two recommendations HERE and HERE.

Here's the next...

GREAT ROMANTIC PICNIC LOCATION:

Elysian Fields at Elysian Park in Los Angeles.

*The picture above is just part of the view.

If you are a true lover of skylines and LA, then you'll love this location. It has this really convenient parking lot right next to the grassy area, not too secluded. There are lots of trees and grass to sit at and then a really great place (with benches and shade) to sit and look at all of Los Angeles.

There's not too much dirt, it's a family-oriented area (which can be nice), and even some trails to hike around. From this spot you can see: Downtown LA, Hollywood, Dodger Stadium, some of Glendale and Burbank even. It's really beautiful and really peaceful.

And best of all...a really inexpensive date :)

Busy but Back

It's been a busy week...that's why I haven't blogged much.

Showing out-of-towners some of LA, prepping for a one day missions trip, going to the one day mission trip, getting about 8 hours of sleep total in the past two nights, working at the church this weekend...

I'm back though!

I Miss Table Tennis Sundays

We used to go to Howard's dad's church and play table tennis on random Sunday afternoons.

We used to go with all the boys and sometimes girls.

We used to fight and laugh really hard.

We used to go get slurpees afterward.

I miss that.

#2 Second Date

You can view GREAT FIRST DATE LOCATION HERE.

GREAT SECOND DATE LOCATION:

Mini Golf...any location will do.

After you've gone on a "food" first date it's nice to go somewhere where you can DO something together. Playing mini golf leaves so much room to talk, walk, laugh, see how competitive your date can get, make fun of each other, and you can even go munch on something afterward.

If the date isn't going well, you can bail out early, since you don't have to wait for anything to be over (movie, meal, etc.).

It's casual-er than the first date (a meal) and fun. Again, it's inexpensive...which helps the guy out. Not to say a guy shouldn't pay up for a girl...I just don't think that a guy needs to spend tons of money on a girl he's just getting to know.

I also love the idea of a playful date. Not getting too serious, not too romantic right off the bat. To be fun on the second date is nice...it'll win me over for sure.

Christmas Card

Last year my Christmas cards had an adorable Mickey Mouse next to a Christmas tree. The design was simple...just a foil shaded Mickey, blank inside. They were small and cute.

This year my Christmas cards have the words fart and stink in them...

I won't give too much away...you'll have to wait until you get yours to truly enjoy it!

I did feel like an eight year old boy when I bought them though.

New Word

Every once in a while a new word pops into mine and my friends daily vocabulary...words I just simply love to hear and say...

a while ago it was livid...

then it was overdrive...

then banter and then coherent.

So here's the latest and greatest...AMBIANCE.

Try using it this week.

#1 First Date

This is Part 1 of a series of recommendations I've been working on (all of this work has been going on in my head).

A couple of night's ago while having dinner I mentioned to the girls that the place we were having dinner at was a great first date location. I thought it through and if I really put my mind to it, I can think of so many places that would be ideal for many occasions.

So boys and girls...LISTEN UP!

GREAT FIRST DATE LOCATION:

O'Malley's Pub on Main Street in Seal Beach.

The ambiance is cozy, not too romantic, but sweet enough (it's a bit noisy, but the noise adds character). They have an awesome fireplace and very home-y yet cool decor. The food ranges from $5-18...which I think says, "Hey, I'm paying for a good meal, but not trying to impress you". They have amazing chicken wings, a great bar, and great waiters. After your meal, you can walk around Main Street and chat...it's really not too romantic at all which leaves for a less stressful evening. The dress can be casual and there's room for a lot of talk, which I think is needed on a first date.

Definitely worth trying out.

#2 Second Date...is coming soon!

I Was #1

If you typed in "jessica torres blog" into Google yesterday my blog link would have been the very first on the link list.

Oh, man...I got SO excited when I found out!

Too bad I can't say the same for today :(

Happy Birthday Howard!!!

We celebrated Howard's 24th at Steakhouse 55 last night.

Such a nice restaurant...note to self: Prime Rib can wait next time.

The actual dining experience was a lot fancier than we all anticipated, but really great, none the less.

Here are some of the pictures:

Oh, the ladies!
If Howard and I ever get married, this will be our engagement photo.

At dinner.

I love you Howard!

O'Malley's

Last night Bibi, Janette and I went to Seal Beach. We mostly hung out, walked around, chatted and then went to have drinks and appetizers at O'Malley's Pub. Which turned into soda and appetizers at O'Malley's when we found out that there were no alcoholic beverages besides beer and wine at O'Malley's.

We've always seen O'Malley's but never actually been inside. Such a sweet place to hang out. We had so much fun.

Some highlights:
The ambiance
The engaging couple
The group that ran out without paying
The party bus
The Christmas decorations
The bathroom coffin
The wings

We made a quick Target run after that...but that's another post!

First Christmas

A super fun group of girls.

Lots of conversation, lots of laughter, lots of good food.

Who's In?

Here are the movies on my "to go see soon" list:

AND

So...who's in?

Many Christmasses

Tonight I begin a month of Christmas celebrations.

We will be having a Christmas Party for the main leadership of our church (the Nucleus)...it's about 20 of us (compared to the 250 leaders we have on our staff). So it's a select group, actually a really cool group, one that I truly identify with.

So far, I know we're doing the White Elephant Game (I'm picking up a gift card for it after work), having really yummy chicken, rice and beans (catered, so I'll let you know how that goes) and lots of jokey guys attending (these guys are so fun to be around).

I'm expecting a good time!

Don't get me started...

This is the other song from Sister Act 2 that I absolutely LOVED.

I'd reenact the scene with my sister in the living room every time we saw the movie.

Oh Lauryn Hill...how I wanted to be you.

Oh Happy Day

Growing up I loved this movie.

Everytime I listen to this I can't help but want to be in a choir.

I'm sure Howard is laughing right now.

Sweet Scent

I came home last night (quite tired) after the Pastor's birthday dinner.

I was supposed to just go, sit, clap, smile and eat dinner but ended up signing myself up to help the serving staff, I figured it would be better to make myself useful instead of just sitting there.

It was fun and we laughed tons...I got to work with lots of the adults on our leadership team whom I usually only get to see at meetings and around the church so it was nice to hang out with them and work alongside them too!

When I got home and was changing into my pajamas I smelled this sweet scent. I smelled my clothes, pinned my nose to my chest, smelled my hands but couldn't think of where the smell came from. My perfume bottle has been waiting for me to have it re-filled at Macy's so I haven't been wearing my "Angel" scent for weeks. It couldn't be me...I have no perfume, and my Magnolia Blossom lotion doesn't smell that sweet.

I thought maybe someone's perfume rubbed off on me (from all the hugs and embraces I received while greeting people) but the scent was too strong to be a rub-off-scent.

I gave up and got into bed...still smelling the scent, kind of loving it. So sweet, so soft...if I was dating myself, I'd want to eat me up!

Then I remembered...the cake. We served birthday cake at the end of dinner. I got frosting all over my fingers...it was the smell of the cake.

Who knew? New winter scent sensation...cake.

Irrational Fears (Part 3 of many)

#16. Parking structures-I'm afraid they'll collapse on me and my car while I'm in there...or that I'll get trapped inside if it collapses.

#17. Mice infesting my home-I hate mice and they gross me out!

It's COLD!!!

My skin felt chapped for the better part of yesterday...

the high today will be 65 degrees...

tomorrow's weather seems to be looking like more of the same.

I love winter!

Boys vs. Girls

I hung out with 2 girls and 8 boys today.

We all met up at the Bracy's to watch the USC/UCLA (go USC!) game.

We had a blend of ages and types...some students, some college students, some adults, etc. We mostly watched the game, threw banter around (Rene...on fire) and played guessing games and riddles. We made a Vons run, bought burritos, made pasta and even made s'mores over the BBQ grill.

The guys played football, the girls laughed at the boys...it was nice.

Today's guy/girl ratio was really unbalanced (for my taste). I got to the house and thought, "where are all the girls at?". Once we started to laugh and have fun, I thought, "what girls?".

I had fun and actually appreciated that there wasn't any girl drama happening (girl students). Don't get me wrong, I love my girl students, but guys tend to be easier to please, way more easy going (go-with-the-flow) and willing to just laugh at about anything.

What's your viewpoint?

November 2007...

my record month!

I have had the most posts published on my blog this month...EVER!

A total of 49 (including this one)!!!

I love setting records :)

My friend got published!!!

Damaris and her parents are featured in today's LA Times (front page of the California section).

Check her out online right HERE (you might have to register online to see the article)...or pick up the actual newspaper!

This sweet picture was featured in the article...I love this family...they look adorable!

Irrational Fears (Part 2 of many)

#11. Being alone in movie theater bathrooms-they always creep me out, I think some crazy person's gonna' pop out of one of the stalls and kill me...really.

#12. Hitting someone with my car-there's this dark corner by my house that I always make a left on, the combination of my bad eyesight and the dark make me fear I might run over someone who's crossing the street.

#13. Being stalked-my mom always tells me to have a heads up whenever I get home late because you never know who's watching. I'm scared someone might be watching me and attack me...I keep my finger on the ALERT button of my car alarm until I get into my house.

#14. Park trash cans-when I was a little girl a big news story came out about how there were serial killers who cut their victims up and threw them into public trash cans. Whenever I walk past a trash can at a public park I can't look in...I think there might be someone in there.

#15. Showers-I saw the movie "Psycho" when I was 9. It took me 3 months to leave the bathtub and get into the shower. I now search the entire bathroom before I go in, lock the door behind me and keep my eyes open the entire time.

My friends call me Colleen*

All of my life people have called me Jessica (duh, that's my name).

My mom and dad called me Jessiquita when I was little...
my mom calls me Jessi when she's rushed...
she calls me Tita when she's being sweet...
everyone else calls me Jessica...

except for my friends (those people I love so much)...

they call me Jess.

I'm not sure when it changed from Jessica to Jess, not sure when I started to notice, but I do know it feels so good to have them call me that. It's like they know me.

*This post title came from an episode of "Saved by the Bell" (when Miss. Bliss was still around). Zack faked an illness just to be able to meet and get serenaded by "Stevie" (a teenage rock star). Little did he know she was Miss. Bliss' niece, Colleen (whom he had kissed earlier that week). While on stage "Stevie" told him, "My friends call me Colleen". Nobody believed him when he said he had kissed "Stevie". I love that episode.

I forgot!

yesterday was my blog's one year anniversary...and I forgot!

Dear Blog,

I am so sorry that I completely forgot your birthday. Please forgive me for my lack of sensitivity. I promise that I will make it up to you. You have been awesome this year! And I know that next year will be even better.

Love,
Jessica

HAPPY late-ANNIVERSARY BLOG!!!

Honesty

I mentioned that I'm currently reading "Boundaries in Dating".

Last night I read a bit more and found what I read so beneficial, that I thought I'd share snippets with you. Here's the first jewel of wisdom...

be HONEST.

The book went over a slew of things to be honest about; descriptions, details, all kinds of lies, all sorts of liars, etc. But what I want to say is...

be honest about who you are.

Be you, not who you think the other person wants you to be. There's a fine line between being kind and considerate, sensitive and even aware of the other person...but those feelings and that kindness toward the other person should never come at the expense of losing who you are (at the core).

Let that person fall for the real you, even if you're weird, let them love the weird (or not love it). I know there's risk involved. If you are YOU and they reject you then they really didn't like YOU. That's okay, because someone else will come along who will like YOU.

Be you, don't lie about anything, even if you think you're sparing the person of pain or something...the deceit alone will be enough to end the relationship.

Be honest.

Two Birds, One Stone

Probably one of the best shows I've been to...

Last night we went out to UCI to see Switchfoot and Relient K. SO, SO good!

The lighting, sound, vocals, showmanship...wow, so good.
Every time they played another song I kept thinking, "it can't get better than this"...but it did. Relient K even made it snow when they played "Sleigh Ride".
And Switchfoot...oh, so amazing. A true rock show from them...love them.

Relient K

Switchfoot

The boys playing cops in the parking structure

Parking structure sign

No, we didn't pee.

Yes, I'm a Nerd

I loved (and own) the movie "Legally Blonde". Mostly because I love Reese Witherspoon, but also because I fell in love with Elle Woods. She's sweet, innocent and smart.

(I realize how blonde this makes me sound.)

I've seen the musical version on MTV twice and I loved it too.
The music is SO good.

I bought the musical soundtrack on iTunes yesterday...
I've replayed it about 10 times and every time I do I feel like dancing, singing and crying.

I hope it's still on Broadway when I get to New York in October!

Wow, I'm a nerd.

P.S. If you're in my car or office this week, you'll hear it. It's on full blast.

Dating?

I just started reading this book last week, "Boundaries in Dating".

I’m reading it for two reasons. First of all, I’ve always been anti-dating and recently wanted to look beyond the superficiality of it all and really find out what benefits can come from a dating relationship. Secondly, I’m working on some curriculum for an all-nighter with our high school girls small groups that will center on relationships.

I've only gotten through the preface and first two chapters, everything Cloud and Townsend have written (thus far) makes so much sense, but as I've continued to read the word dating over and over I realized that I don't even know how the authors of this book define dating. I don't even know what my definition of the word is. So I looked it up:

Wikipedia says...
Dating is any social activity performed as a pair or even a group with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as their partner in a intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of agreeing on a time and "date" when a pair can meet and engage in some social activity.

Dictionary.com says...
An engagement to go out socially with another person, often out of romantic interest.

Allwords.com says...
A planned meeting or social outing, usually with a person one is attached to.A person whom one is meeting or going out with and who one usually finds attractive.

I must say, everywhere I searched had a flimsy, unfocused answer. There weren't any sources that really gave a GOOD definition.

I've come to the following conclusion.

Dating is what you want it to be, you set the rules, boundaries, definition, and then voice that. Make it known, no secrets, be yourself and just put all the cards on the table. If you don't, someone will end up disappointed or disillusioned.

Now, I've got to come up with my definition...

Irrational Fears (Part 1 of many)

While in line for the Matterhorn yesterday German pointed out that I have many, many ridiculous fears...Janette proceeded to name them one by one (well, all of the ones she knows of).

I promised them I'd make a list of them...the ones thus far (I am fully aware that more will be added on as time goes on).

These are irrational fears, which means they may not make any sense to you, but they do to me. So, please, no judgement.

#1 Bridges-afraid they'll collapse while I'm on them or that an earthquake might come as I'm driving mid-way.

#2 Deep sea-afraid of getting eaten by a sea creature, my head exploding from the pressure or even worse, the dark unknown places.

#3 Deep space-afraid of what's out there, or getting lost in space...just drift forever...yikes!

#4 Self-Pollinating Plants-those things could poke out an eye.

#5 Breaking my bones- I am so scared of the pain and hospital visit.

#6 The Abominable Snowman in the Matterhorn- he's really ugly and I hate his growl...gives me chills.

#7 The battle scene in the Pirates ride at DL- what's behind those dark caverns?

#8 Clouds- I think they'd suffocate me if I breathed them in.

#9 Having bacteria in my throat- every morning I purposefully cough up from the back of my throat as I brush my teeth...I'm afraid some weird bacteria might accumulate back there over night.

#10 Having a terminal illness and not knowing it- I think it's because of all my Grey's viewing.

Trust me...there's more to come.

Change...

oh, I can feel it coming.

I'm not sure how, when or why...

but in 2008,

lots of change.

Welcome Home Janette!

Here's Janette's first day back...in pictures:

So so so much fun!