B.erry L.ettucy and T.asty

I had one of these for lunch today:

Some one please tell me how bread, lettuce, tomato and bacon can be SO delicious!

I loved every bite of it and plan on making myself one for dinner.

Seriously?

We have lunch as a team (with everyone on church staff) about twice a week.

We all choose one restaurant and order. One person volunteers to go out and pick up lunch. We have it upstairs, outside the Pastoral Staff offices.

I've been trying to have a more servile attitude so I've been volunteering quite a bit recently.

I have found that I have a pet peeve when it comes to being a lunch delivery lady:

It bugs the heck out of me every time I come in with all these bags and drink-filled cups (totally exhausted from walking up the stairs with all the stuff) and people ask me, "So, which one's mine?".

Here's my inner monologue: "I just drove all the way out to pick up your food, missed valuable productivity time, hauled all this food upstairs, practically put it on your lap and you still want me to look through everything and tell you which one's yours? The least you could do is check for yourself."

I know that my inner monologue probably counteracts my servant attitude, but dude...

it seriously bugs me...

seriously.

Catch Me if You Can!

I love getting caught up on stuff.

Last night I balanced my check book while watching Jon and Kate Plus Eig8t.

I cleaned my room, folded laundry, put it away, prepped some yummy food for today and cleaned out some paperwork.

Today at the church, I got to tie up some loose ends that had just been there and I got to catch up on lots of stuff that had been pending. Filing pictures, making some picture CDs for people, etc. One of those pending things had been pending since last summer...yikes!

I love catching up on stuff.

Makes me feel like I can do SO much more!

AND, I even got started on my to do list for this week :)

Pseudo-Celebrity Sighting

Yesterday (while waiting for the Monorail) I looked behind me and saw her:

She's Ev from the Gauntlet.

I wasn't sure it was her at first (she's tiny in person) until I heard her speak.
Plus, she was wearing that exact, same pony tail.

And then, while having lunch at the Rainforest Cafe I spotted him:

Slade Smiley from the Real Housewives of Orange County.

Reality stars are just all over the place!

MORE Stranger Words

You can read the first Stranger Words HERE.

I bought some Lil' Smokies for the sleepover (Saturday morning breakfast).

When I took the package out of the freezer I noticed that the expiration date was January 21st...are you kidding me?!? Gross!

After dropping Brenda off I went to Super A to get a refund.

As I parked, it began to rain really hard...I wasn't ready for rain so I decided to make a run for it across the parking lot.

As I was running an old man said, "You're going to get wet...and very sick!".

Just like that, like I was 12 again.

I'm telling you...I'm like a stranger magnet these days!

4am Makeovers

A couple of the girls slept over on Friday night.

We talked like crazy, played "Truth or Truth" and ate...a lot.

When Bibi, Melissa, Abby and Janette fell asleep (I have photos of these sleeping beauties but won't post them...I'm not that mean), Aileen, Brenda and I decided to get all made up (hair and all) and do a photo shoot.

The prep:

The result:

Then, the girls became hommies:

BONUS PHOTO

Bibi wearing leopard pants, laying on a tiger blanket while resting her head on a zebra print pillow case...how exotic!

It was a really fun, tiring night...went to bed at 5am...wow!

Changing Fashions

I made an observation while driving to the bank today.

There were a bunch of students walking home from school and as I watched them I noticed they all wore their backpacks identically. They used both of the straps over their sholders.

When I was in early high school it was SO nerdy to wear both straps of your backpack...everyone put one strap over their shoulder.

Strange...

what made you a nerd in 1999 makes you fit in in 2008...

times change.

Just Call Me J-Lo

About two weeks ago Marlene, Edgar's sister, asked me to help her with her wedding.
She get's married in 3 months!

We had our first "wedding meeting" today.

We went over guest count, food, flowers, location, timelines, videos, slideshows, lighting, sound, music...we mostly did a big overview.

I LOVE that I get to help plan a wedding.

Here's where all that "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" and "A Wedding Story" watching comes in.

I'm also glad I watched, "My Best Friend's Wedding", "The Wedding Planner" and "Wedding Date" hundreds of times.

I kept being annoying throughout the meeting...I said things like, "You are exquisite, you are timeless..." (The Wedding Planner) and "Oh, I want to get married!".

I really do feel like a planner...

so far, I get to be the one that guides the procession into the church for the ceremony and I get to be the one that says what happens (on and off stage) when during the reception.

I'm thinking of getting an earpiece...just for kicks...even if no one is on the other end.

P.S. I also just got asked to be a bridesmaid at my friend Roxy's wedding, December 6th!

TV Resolutions

I promised myself I'd watch some new TV this year...read HERE.

Smallville Season 1 was on sale at Target yesterday...so I bought it.

I watched two episodes last night...so far, so good.

I'll let you know how it goes.

The Office...

you're next!

I'm sad to report that the Gladiators were not sufficiently entertaining...they didn't make it past the first episode.

N-E-R-D

My blog friend, Allison, and I are making plans to hang out in the near future.

I am so excited...I realize how nerdy that sounds.

Ever since we set the idea of meeting up I think about what I'd like to do and talk about with her whenever I read her comments on my blog.

Here's what I've thought of so far:

1. I'd like to watch some TV with her.

2. Have her guide me through google analytics...I'm terribly confused by it.

3. Have her say "brilliant" in a British accent.

4. Have her tell me about Kenya.

5. Talk about blogs.

There's other stuff too, but I'd like to save that for the actual meet and greet.

Although we've met before, we actually get to hang out this time...

excellent!

I will not allow my personal tragedy interfere with my ability to do good hair...

I've always had short hair.

Always.

But now, I have long hair...it was intentional...I worked long and hard to grow it out.

Here's what my hair looked like, as of Sunday afternoon:

The girls and I took a picture together and it seems as though only my first layer decided to show up (on the left side):

After looking at this picture, I'm contemplating going back to short.

My small group has asked me to keep it long...they like it long, so do I...but maybe change in good.

What do you think?

Small Group Quote Wall

Me: "Hey, do you have those individual size napkins? Those are way cheaper than using the roll."
German: "Yeah, oh those napkins? Yeah, we don't have them."

Me: "He's becoming in-Creesy-ngly..." (about Man on Fire)
German: "Oh, that should be on quote wall!"

Valerie: "There's the door!"
German: "Yeah, why don't you use it?"
Everyone: "Oooohhhhh!"

ABS-olute Pain

I posted, earlier this week, that I wore a new pair or one-size-too-small-jeans.

I wore them from around 8am until 9pm...all Sunday.

They were tight at the waist, but I managed...hoping I'd loosed them a bit, for the next time I'd wear them.

So I get up on Monday morning and have major trouble tightening my abs (to get out of bed). My stomach hurts as if I'd been working my abs out all Sunday.

Then it hits me...

my pants!

My abs still hurt today...

everytime I get up, lean over, make any type of movement that invloves my abdominals...pain.

Seriously, I never thought that could happen.

Stranger Words

We had Bibi's birthday lunch today.

So, so good!

As we were walking through the parking lot back to our cars Damaris decided it'd be funny to smack Jorge on the knees...

he didn't think it was funny, so he attacked and she dropped her Bible on the floor...he picked it up and ran off.

Then, while we went over to Damaris' car, I said, "You know Jorge, just can't walk away from a fight"...this random lady walks right past us and says (something along the lines of), "All Jorge's are like that!"...in a bitter, angry tone.

Seriously...

we couldn't stop laughing.

There's some Jorge out there making a woman miserable.

Calvin Kan't Fit

My mom and I went shopping yesterday morning.

We scouted Macy's, Nordstrom's and other random stores for really great, cheap jeans.

We bought other stuff (cardigan, blouse, new black flats) too, but mainly we wanted to buy some great fitting jeans.

We hit the jackpot at Macy's...

I got a pair of Calvin Klein's for $25...original $88...reduced to $45...but ultimately came out to a sweet $25.

Only problem...

they are one size too small.

I'm wearing them right now...but wish I had a girdle on...

My mom persuaded me into buying them, saying they'd be a stronger motivation for me while taking my cardiokickboxing class.

I think it'll work.

Valentine Post #5

I had an amazing Valentine's Day.

Everyone went crazy over all of the delicious treats Howard and I made, I had an awesome home cooked meal for lunch (stuffed peppers and rice) and I even got to take a nap right before my date...

pretty great, right?

And my date certainly did not disappoint.

I've known him, Christian, for a while and we've become really fun friends. He's easy to talk to, super smart and we totally have the mind thing going on...you know, those people that say the thing you're about to say, or say the thing your were totally thinking...yeah, we got that.

He came by pretty late (8pm), we both had busy days, and then we headed off for dinner.

We ate at this great Mexican restaurant, Avila's, and I got to have the bacon wrapped shrimp.

We talked tons and laughed...really great.

We then caught the 10:35 show for Fool's Gold...please don't waste your time.

It was a fun night and he even liked his gift (a copy of "Irresistible Revolution"...recommended by Damaris). My gift was interesting, to say the least. It made me laugh and made me feel 5...but that's another post.

Hope you had a great day too!

Valentine Post #4

I had Valentine treats on my mind all day at work...

I left the church at 3pm and ran over to Borders to pick up my Valentine date his gift...

then I drove over to my hair appointment (just a cut) and got started once I got home at 5:30pm.


Howard got to my house around 8pm.

We had some KFC and continued...

We packaged everything up...

And then began to deliver at around 11:30pm.

I held everything in the car, so yes, those are my slippers...

Some of the recipients...

I forgot to take a picutre of Val, so here's picture of her door:

Cookie, today at the office:

And we still had enough to give a bunch to Howard's department supervisors and all of my co-workers here at church.

Everyone was SUPER grateful and really surprised.

Baking for 7 hours straight was SO worth it!

Apodos*

Ricardo: Retardo

German: Jerkman

Valerie Lopez: V-Lo

Melissa: Smelissa

I've never met anyone as great at giving insulting/funny nicknames as Howard.

Seriously...

could you have thought of these?

*title is "nicknames" in Spanish.

My Spel Chec iz Brokin

My spell check feature on blogger hasn't been working for about a week.

Am I the only one?

It's tough to deal with as I love proper grammar and impeccable spelling.

Just so you know to cut me some slack if you see any retarded words. Sorry!

Valentine Post #3

Howard and I are going to be busy tonight...

I'll post pictures (tomorrow) of how everything turns out!

Gimme' a "B", Gimme' a "B"...

What does that spell?

BB!!!

Happy Birthday Bibi!
I hope you have an amazing day!

I love you!

Valentine Post #2

These are my Valentine cards for '08:
That's right...your vision isn't blurred.

Those are Grey's Anatomy cards.

Yet one more reason for why I love Target SO much!

One Big, Happy Movie Family

I saw 27 Dresses this weekend.

I really liked it and laughed way more and way louder than I thought I ever would.

The people who watched it with us (everyone in the theater) were really great. I loved the way they laughed just as loud as I did, clapped when a really great joke came up and loudly told their neighbors how fun a moment was.

I hate it when I'm the only one enjoying myself in the theater, it bugs me to feel awkward and alone in my laughter...I like it when others are having just as much fun as I am at a movie. I think it makes the movie that much better.

There are exceptions though...

Like the teenage girls behind us who kept ooohhh-ing and ahhhh-ing at all of the mushy parts and asked ridiculous questions like: "Who's he?" (about the lead guy, 53 minutes into the movie) and "Is he going to kiss her?" (really?).

So if you find yourself in the same theater as me, please have a good, loud time...just make sure you're not 15 and annoying.

Last week's Quote Wall

At Children's Ministry Valentine Pajama Party:
"Do you know that whales are warm blooded mammals?"
-7 year old's reaction to my whale print pj's.

In line for 27 Dresses:
"Watch he takes you to like the moon"
-Janette's response to me saying my Valentine date will be low key.

At Small Group:
"If you vote for him, you'll never see me again...literally" and
"We'll see how much you love me in November!"
-German's challenge to us all on voting for a non-immigrant friendly presidential candidate.

Valentine Post #1

In honor of Valentine's Day this Thursday, I'm going to post something about the big day (or in relation to the big day) every day this week.

So here goes:

I have a date...yup, a date.

I fought it a bit and even said no the first time the idea was mentioned. But then decided to give it a try.

I'm not looking forward to any mush, but am expecting to have a fun time, at least.

Wish me good luck...I hope I'm ready for this!

I Can't Breef!

I really have a thing for romantic music.

I'm a mush-ball...I know.

But there's a specific type of song that really get's to me.

The "I'm your friend but am secretly in love with you" song...or even better, the "I'm your best friend and cannot live without your love" song.

While listening to Corrine Bailey Rae last week, I stumbled upon one of these tunes...

"Breathless" (you can listen to it HERE)

Favorite line from the song:
"I've been telling you with my eyes, my heart's on fire, don't you realize?"

My heart aches for the "friend" who is in love...I wish the other friend knew the truth...and could maybe reciprocate the crush/love.

I also realize we've all faced this kind of crush at one point or another.

Every time I listen to one of these I think of my first major "friend" crush: Nick Ruiz.
He's all I could think of for the better part of 9th and 10th grade. Totally left me "breathless", and I couldn't even tell him.

What "friend" ever left you "breathless"?

Sick

I think I'm getting sick...

I've been exhausted after a week of tons of work, classes, events, services and am now feeling the side effects.

My mind is fuzzy, throat is scrachy and left ear itchy...

I really can't get sick right now...bad timing.

Couldn't I get sick when it's cold and dark outside?
Why when the sun finally decides to show up?

"Nice Guys Finish Last"

Do you think this is true?

I do.

AND

What do you think of:

"Nice Girls Finish First"?

All by Myself

I've been spending time by myself lately.

Not all the time...I have been surrounded by tons of people at church, work, home...

But I have intentionally not been "hanging out" as much.

I feel so energized...new...fresh.

I've loved this past week.

I've been reading, watching TV, talking to good friends on the phone, brainstorming for some changes on our ministry teams, making long-term goals for my life, even setting some short-term goals, spending time with God.

What do you think?
Would you rather hang out or be alone?

Tattoo Artist...No Longer My Fall Back Career

I took the Myers-Briggs test online today...(Allison posted about it).

So here is who I am (according to someone named Myers and someone named Briggs):

ESFJ - "Seller"

Most sociable of all types.

Nurturer of harmony.

Outstanding host or hostesses.

12.3% of total population.

Extroverted (E) 57.89% Introverted (I) 42.11%
Sensing (S) 57.58% Intuitive (N) 42.42%
Feeling (F) 65.71% Thinking (T) 34.29%
Judging (J) 73.53% Perceiving (P) 26.47%

The ones in BOLD are the ones I laughed at or at least questioned a bit.

Descriptions:
does not like being alone, thinks life has purpose/meaning, organized, values organized religion, outgoing, social, does not like strange people/things, likely intolerant of differences, open, easy to read, dislikes science fiction, values relationships and families over intellectual pursuits, group oriented, follows the rules, affectionate, planner, regular, orderly, clean, finisher, consults others before acting, content, positive, loves getting massages, complimentary, dutiful, loving, considerate, altruistic.

Favored careers:
wedding planner, social worker, pediatrician, public health employee, kindergarten teacher, business consultant, nurse, human resources manager, office manager, executive assistant, public relations specialist, medical employee, human resources, office worker, social services, child care worker

Disfavored careers:
artist, author, filmmaker, philosopher, video editor, musician, poet, tattoo artist, game designer, philosophy professor, international spy, film director, astronaut, art curator, scientist, computer consultant, cartoonist, graphics designer

Fun!

Friends Stand Up for Friends

TV is my friend.

It's gotten me through some tough times, lonely times, happy times, educational times, funny times...

It's been there.

Sometimes characters can say what I'm feeling way better than me, sometimes I escape into their lives when my own it too hard to face, sometimes I like that my life doesn't get as complicated as theirs does...

I blame PBS, long vacations at home, TV on DVD, amazing writing, great acting...

I love TV and there's nothing wrong with that.

Sometimes I read good books during commercial breaks, balance my checkbook while flipping channels, clean my room while listening to a familiar episode, organize/make to-do lists/brainstorm because an episode reminded me of something really important. I get everything done...even if I watch TV.

TV's gotten a bad rap.

Here's what's up: TV doesn't fry your brain. The kind of TV you watch fries your brain. If you have good taste in TV then TV enhances your life, teaches you something new, makes you laugh and even brings you comfort.

TV is my friend...

and friends stand up for friends.

Cardio Kick-Your-Butt-boxing

I started my cardiokickboxing class today.

7:25am Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We didn't actually kick anything today...just first day logistics...but I am looking forward to getting in shape.

Flatter stomach
Leaner muscles
Higher cardio resistance
Tighter everything

I really can't wait for Thursday to come!

And if you notice any results in the upcoming months please let me know...I'm sure it'll motivate the heck out of me.

P.S. One more goal I have is to be able to actually kick someone's butt after I'm done with this course.

No Blogging

I haven't really been posting...

Okay, I haven't posted in almost a full week.

No, I didn't forget, get too busy, or have nothing to write about...

I've been doing A LOT of thinking, processing...

I plan on posting about all of my mind-travels this week.