R.I.P. German's Blog

German's last post was titled R.I.P. 2006.

Seems like what's dead is German's blogging life.

Will he ever come back to us?

Because She Doesn't Blog

I will blog on her behalf (Bibi, that is).

Saturday night was one of those nights where you want to make plans, but you don't 'cause you feel kind of lazy...you know what I mean...you just want to stay home, but you still want to do something.

So Edgar came over around 8, we met up with Bibi at the Mc Donald's down the street from my house, came back and just began to chat and channel surf.

Soon our conversation got onto the topic of peer pressure (Janette was sharing about it the very next morning at the services). I asked Edgar and Bibi if they had ever drank/smoked/gone to parties/etc. because of peer pressure. They answered and I threw in my two cents.
Here's the part where Bibi's "post" comes in:

I asked them why they chose to not do those things and Bibi answered the following: "I never wanted to smoke with my friends (although they offered) because I knew that I would end up being that one kid who immediately began to choke and cough once the cigarette went in my mouth. I didn't want to look stupid".

Once she said this I couldn't help but laugh...HARD. I thought it through in my head and reasoned: Bibi didn't give in to the pressure to smoke because of the pressure to not look stupid. Peer pressure saved Bibi from peer pressure. Hilarious!
I love the fact that she didn't say something like: "It was the right thing to do" or "By body is the temple of God". She just feared looking stupid.

Lesson: Don't look stupid...it might just help you make some wise decisions.

She's So Dang Cute

Howard forwarded this picture to me today.
Although this is the team that was Edgar's and my competition I can't help but say that Evelyn looks so dang adorable in this picture.
I love this girl!

Official Space Rangers

Last night Edgar and I competed in the "Top Space Ranger Duo" competition. I am so sorry to report that we were defeated by Howard and Evelyn. Edgar did pretty well for his first time though. He is a video game addict after all.
Editor's Note: Look closely and you can see the "fire" in Edgar's eyes...he means business.

Asleep, But Not Asleep

Somehow I haven't been able to really "wake up" all day today.
I slowly rolled out of bed today (secretly wishing that I could stay home) and came to work.
All day I've been in a zombie-like state.
I've yawned at least 25 times and had glossy eyes as a result.
I can't wait to go home and take a nap.
Have you ever had a day like this?

Weekly Prayer #2

Dear Lord,
I really, really, really want this. If not for me, then for Bibi, so we can watch it and grow closer together.
Amen.

Another Farewell...So Soon?

I found out today that one of my friends will be leaving to China for 6 months.

I am so happy for this great , new opportunity that has presented itself before him.

I will miss him SSSSOOOOOO much...words cannot begin to describe.

Call the Press!

Edgar is going to Disneyland with Evelyn, Howard and I on Sunday.

Proof that prayers do get answered.

A Delicious Farewell

Last night Maribel, Peter, Howard, Susana and I bid a lovely and delicious farewell to our dear friend (and co-worker) Ana. Ana has been working at the church for two years and she as an amazing girl. She's moving to Idaho with her family and is excited about the big change but also sad to be leaving all that is familiar to her. We're sad too. She's such a great girl with the funnest personality.

Luckily we didn't focus on the sad last night, but instead laughed so hard I couldn't help but be so thankful for her friendship.

Panda Inn was so yummy and we seriously ate like nobody's buisness. Some highlights were:

• getting a chopstick lesson from Peter.
• remembering Ana's and my swimming class together.
• singing "Friends" to Ana.
• hanging out with Susana (she's so much fun).
• being with Ana before she leaves.

I love being Ana's friend...and I hope she feels the same way about me :)

Last one...I promise!

You're all probably tired of reading about Disney...but I promise...this is the last one. Damaris started working at Disneyland in December...she is leaving this month.

I think that her time working for Disney could probably classify her as one of the shortest working spans for a human being at one job. People switch jobs often...something I find hard to do.

Another thought I had...could I ever really work for Disney? I categorize Disney as a no work all play location...I wouldn't want to mix work with pleasure.

Last thought, I really love their name tags.

I ripped them off...again.

A couple of months ago, while at Disney's California Adventure Howard, Damaris and I went in to the Disney offices to do a simple info session about some vacation packages. Neither of us took it seriously, we just did it because we were told that you got a free $50 gift card if you did it. So we had a free dinner on Disney, we even got to get souvenirs.
Saturday night I went in to the Coke Corner (a usual occurrence for me while at Disneyland) to get a Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel. When I gave the clerk my AP she checked it and gave me a discount. This was nothing new, AP holders get a 10% discount on select merchandise.
Well, I get my receipt and find out she gave me a Cast Member discount 20%!
Check it out!
I must have a very likable face :)
Thanks Theresa!

We went...we conquered!

Here's my new passport. This year's theme, "Year of a Million Dreams". I must say...I really love this year's "look" for the pass. Very "dreamy".

Welcome Me Home

Tomorrow my first blog prayer is answered.

I will be going home.

Bibi's prayers are really effective.

This is a picture of Howard and I...depicts how happy we will be tomorrow!

Jeremiah said this...

"O Lord, You have persuaded and deceived me, and I was persuaded and deceived; You are stronger than I am and You have prevailed." Jeremiah 20:7

I love the idea of being persuaded and deceived by God. It's a good deception. He deceives you into believing that you can do things you never imagined. He knows that it's not me who does those amazing things, but Him. He lies and persuades us into doing things for Him that, had we known what we were getting into, we would've never said yes to.

I love that he is "stronger than I am" and that He has "prevailed" over me. He won over when I wanted to give up, when I thought I couldn't do it anymore, when it got to be "too much" (or so I thought).

Today, I am really filled with a sense of awe. How can God be so loving and powerful that He has and continues to prevail over such a weak and inconsistent woman like me? I am privileged to be called "His".

My prayer is that He would always win and that He would deceive and lure me into being who He knows I can be for Him.

And with THIS one it's EIGHT!

I just posted 7 times today and with this one it's eight.
Aha!
Last five days...I just kicked your hiney!
Eat my blogging dust!

Weekly Prayer #1

As of November 13th, my annual pass expired and I haven't been to Disney since. Mind you...this has been after coming off of a year chalk full of Disney adventures.

My prayer:
God I really want to renew my pass by the end of this week.

I'm ready for my "Happiest Homecoming on Earth".

Something New

Okay, so I am giving a try to something new on my blog.
This will be a weekly segment that will be titled:
"Weekly Prayer"
On said post I will write a thing, object, desire that I have for that week.
Sometimes it will be superficial/comedic and other times it will be a little deeper.
Get ready for it!

Highly Recommended

For Christmas, I bought season one for long-time "Grey's" fan Bibi, she slept over a couple week's later and we watched all 10 episodes in one night (okay...so I fell asleep during two of the episodes, but I did see them the very next afternoon).
I was hooked.
Great plot lines, fun and touching stories, comedy, tear jerkers, romance...all the ingredients add up to one of the only shows that has ever actually had me begging for more.
If you haven't seen it...find out what all the hype's about.

Thursday's 9PM on ABC.

German, you're a softy...I'm sure you'd love it.

I really miss her.

Bibi...
I really never thought that she and I would "click" so well. But I am really thankful to God for her life and for the light that she is in mine.
I miss her being in the office...but I am so proud of her for following God's lead in her life.
She's an amazing example.

My Favorite Shows

Here are the ones that have me on the edge of my seat (at the moment):
In no specific order.

1. The Challenge: The Duel
2. The Hills (it's back!)
3. Top Chef
4. Grey's Anatomy
5. Real World
6. Sex and the City

I know that watching about half of the shows on that list can get me sent to H-E-double hockey sticks. Or maybe they would just get me in trouble with parents from our ministry...but they are SOOOO good that I can't stop watching.

Let me know what some of your favorites are.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Last Saturday night we held our first annual Super Sweet Leader Night! The name was promptly borrowed from Saddleback Church (we were on a deadline and couldn't think creatively for an event name...oops!). Anyhow, it was incredible. The entire night was centered around loving and appreciating the volunteers of our student ministry. Not everyone showed up...but the ones who did made the night so so SPECIAL! Here are a couple of highlights:

• Co-hosting with Gus.
• All of the free give-aways.
• Georgina's delicious fettuccine alfredo.
• The amazing spirit of family and love.
• Giving Gus "Dating for Dummies".
• Seeing so many amazing volunteers that I missed hanging out with.
• Having all the leaders feel so loved and appreciated.

We were all re-energized that night and I am so thankful for that!

I miss you.

I haven't been blogging for about 5 days.

I miss my blog.

I will make up for it today by posting five times.

My Breakfast

This is what I ate for breakfast this morning.

I am just now realizing that I have terrible eating habits. I need to begin having actual meals that actually mean something to my actual health.

Pretty tasty though.

Life Resolution #2

Drink more water.
Yes, this seems to be a part of many peoples' every day lives...but not mine.
As many of you know I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Coke. If there is one beverage that I would take with me on a deserted island, Coke would be it. I even, I am ashamed to admit, have had it during breakfast.
So here is where I make it happen: so far I am drinking two 16 oz. bottles a day. I want to get to 4 bottles by next month. It may sound unrealistic but I really know that I can do it.
Here is why I really think that it is possible. I have this crazy thing about myself where I constantly have to have something that I am either eating or drinking. It's like I get bored and automatically need to be "doing" somthing...my version of "doing" something ususally involves food or beverage. So all I have to do is replace my Coke with Aquafina.
I share this in order that you, the public, may motivate me to drink more of God's gift to us.

Old People Just Don't Understand

As much as I've tried to explain blogging to my "non-blogging" friends they just don't understand.

One person in particular: Edgar Sanchez (note: pictured on the left)

In my heart there is a certain amount of respect that is due to blogs and people who blog. Blogging is an art that should be honored.

I've tried to say: It's a place to express your thoughts, a type of journal, a way of sharing things with your friends...nothing.
I feel like Will Smith when he rapped, "Parents just don't understand...". My old friends just don't understand what blogging is or why I care so much about it.

Not only does he not get it...he makes fun of it.
What seems strange is that these insults are coming from a man who is kind of chubby, has nappy hair 95% of the time, wabbles when he runs and pats his large belly frequently while lifting up his t-shirt.

Maybe he won't ever get it...then again...he is old.

It Has Begun...

Well...I am on my way!

I bought it yesterday.

I am already beginning to highlight the places that I have already visited.
I might begin here in California and then plan my first "airplane" visit to New York...I already have a parter in crime: Gaby (from the main church office).

I can't wait!

Bibi and German: Un-blog-ortive!

My friends have a definite problem with my amazingly, outstanding blogging life.
My vow to be a great blogger is finally coming to life and both Bibi and German refuse to comment on my posts...they'll just read but not comment. No blog support!

Hey people! Posts were meant to be read and commented on.

I hope you both take this as a sign that you need to support my new lifestyle choice.

I love you both.

Take THAT Bibi Bracy!

This is officially my 25th post.

I promised myself (on my very first post) that I would not allow my blog to die. This is a milestone for me and my blog.

Bibi...here ya' go...my Silver Anniversary...feel free to give me a plaque or something :)

I'm Not Ready to Die

Before the end of the week comes I will buy this book.
Patricia Schultz compiled her list of "1, 000 Places to See Before You Die". They have now become my life conquest.
I am not ready to die without first seeing God's amazing creation around the world.
Much of my life I've stayed local...in southern California, but I want to see more than just that. I want to see what others consider their everyday life... I want to live things that I alone can say I did and experienced.
My life resolution ('cause I don't believe in resolving to do something for just one year) is to see at least one of these places a year, for the rest of my life.
Many people doubt me...but I know I can do it.
I already got my mom on board so I'm hoping others will hop on the band wagon too.