Oh, I'm Here!

I'm at the PDYM Conference this week!

I'm here with three of my youngest and funnest volunteers! Seriously, I almost peed laughing today...several times.

I'm a bit exhausted and just realized that I totally forgot to text my small group to remind them there's no small group this week, oops!

None the less, the first day here has been great! We got upgraded and received a MAJOR discount at our hotel, we got to have lunch at Panda Inn (so yummy!) and we played a couple of ping pong games where I, of course, totally dominated!

So far, so good!

I Love You, America!

I was required to go visit Voorhis Elementary last Friday morning.

When I got there, a few girls from Mrs. Morales' class kept me company while we waited for the bell to ring. As far as I knew we would enter class immediately following the bell...I was so excited when I found out there would be a patriotic program as their Friday morning assembly!

After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (which I absolutely LOVE) we sang:

The Star Spangled Banner
and
This Land is Your Land

I love singing songs about our nation! I sang so loud that one of the little girls asked me how I knew these songs (I guess I look too old to have been around when school was invented).

Although we didn't sing:
America the Beautiful
God Bless America
The United States
Take Your Hat Off When the Flag Goes By!
My Country 'Tis of Thee
You're a Grand Ole Flag

I'd like to note that I love all these songs and would sing them anywhere, anytime...seriously.

Dear Dreams,

I really dislike you.

I've written on my blog about disliking dreams. And I stand firm on that post.

But last night was just too much! I had a really rollercoaster-y day and was super emotional. I decided to stop reading my book a bit early so I could just go to bed and clear my mind. Then came the dream...

I dreamt that someone hated me.

This is someone I really like and I totally got my feelings hurt in my dream. A little part of me hopes that the dream wasn't a premonition...that would really be terrible!

Just so you know, it was someone who reads my blog. So if you're reading this, I really hope you don't hate me in real life.

Hip Hip Hooray!

I finally got my Mac!

A lovely Talbot student was selling his for a ridiculously low price...so I bought his!

She's beautiful!

Call off the Search Party

I spent over 2 hours online last week looking for this purse:

I saw it months ago on the Roxy website. Then at Macy's over Christmas. And when I went to buy it last week it was gone.

I found it at the Quicksilver Outlet yesterday, at $22 off the original price.

How lucky am I?

A Little Change Goes a Long Way...

When I opened my Bank of America accounts last year I was enrolled in something they call "Keep the Change" transfers.

Here's what it is:

Every time you make a purchase with your ATM, Bank of America rounds the amount of the purchase up to the nearest dollar and transfers the difference to your savings account.

The clerk told me that B of A would match whatever change I transferred. I never saw that money...never. So I figured it was just a "new accounts gimmick" and forgot all about it.

Until today!

I went online to do some banking and saw that my savings account was $49.02 richer...

Yup, they finally matched it! Sweet!

PDYM

PDYM: also known as, Please Don't Yudge Me...okay, it's not known as that, but I felt the need to start off on an apologetic note. I haven't blogged in what feels like a lifetime...sorry!

The PDYM Conference is actually run by a wonderful group of people that genuinely care about the health of youth workers and the health of student ministries (the church). And go all out to serve and equip youth ministers!

If you serve in youth ministry at your church (Pastor, volunteer, dodgeball coordinator...) COME! March 24-27, 2009 at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA.

Trust me, you won't regret it!

In this community of great, passionate people my ministry found health and great direction!

An added bonus is that, I'll be there! Hope to see you there too!

Here's your personal invitation!

Register at:
pdymcommunity.com

I'm Goin' MAC!

I've been in a debate with myself for the past year about switching over from being a PC to Mac user...the debate has finally ended-by the end of this week I will be the proud owner of a Mac Notebook!

There were tons of reasons for why I made the switch (reliability, durability, performance, etc.),but I thought it important to mention the most important reason of all...

I want to be cool.

It really is that simple (kidding)...

But really, I will be way cooler by the end of the week, right?

Christmas Canciones

I love Christmas music...love it!

My usual Christmas playlist runs from the day after Thanksgiving until December 25th...every year.

This year I'm looking for some new, great music for the holidays. I know that nothing in the Christmas music selection is really "new". Everyone re-does the same songs over and over again...but even with that, I'd like to get some new re-done songs.

I currently have Mariah Carey, Relient K, Michael Buble, Amy Grant and a few others on my playlist...

Can you think of any others I should have?
Or better yet, which are some favorites on your Christmas playlist?

I Know

I haven't been the posting diva in this season of life as I've been in the past...

I apologize.

Some of the reasons for why I have been inconsistent are the following:

1. Lack of proper Internet at home.
2. Going back to school full time, while still working at the church full time.
3. Life changes (more on that later).
4. Little to blog about (well, lack of fun, interesting things to blog about-my life has been all work and little play lately).

This is my last week of instruction before finals and I would totally appreciate your prayers as it's also a busy season in ministry.

I will post updates soon...promise!

Kiddos

Today, I spent a couple of hours with some really great, hyper kids.

I've spent a lot of time lately making some pretty grown-up decisions, which has caused me to act very tense and stressed.

Hanging with these kids reminded me that life is not as hard as it seems. There are times when I make my life way more complicated than it has to be...sometimes all you need to have is a little fun and remember what a gift life truly is.

Hang out with a kid sometime...you'll see!

Library Fun

We're "studying" tonight...

My friend just shot crumpled pieces of paper into a waste basket at the library from several feet away and made every shot...

Productivity at it's best.

Poor me

I've had a consistent thought running through my mind for the last couple of weeks...

I am blessed beyond measure. And I complain about it.

I don't even know how I could define blessed at this point because it encompasses so much more than material possessions. But, I know that I have many things that other people in this world will never have.

Every time I catch myself saying anything negative about my job, I think of the people who are losing their jobs at that very moment...being called into an office and told that they are no longer needed.

Every time I complain about a homework assignment I think of the thousands (possibly millions) of people who will never have the chance to study at a university, and a private God-centered one at that.

I think it's strange that as Americans we make the very blessings we have into a fit of self pity every day.

"I have to wake up so early for work"
"This paper is taking forever to write"
"I am so tired of my job"
"Why do we have to read that book?"

I don't want to feel sorry for myself and my friends because we get to have jobs and study at amazing schools...it makes no sense at all.

The Stinking Rose

I spent the better part of my weekend at a spa and dining around for Roxy's pre-wedding celebration. All four bridesmaids (minus Anita)-Bibi, Priscilla, Damaris and I- took Roxy out to spend time together and relax.

After a great Friday night in Corona and full Saturday at the spa we drove up to Beverly Hills for dinner at The Stinking Rose...delicious! Here are a few pictures from last night:

Once I get more Glen Ivy (spa) pictures I'll post them...such a fun, restful weekend!

Politically Incorrect

I've never been too involved of even interested in politics...I even had trouble voting this week.

I've been a proud American since the day I was born and love my country. I am so grateful that I live here and have the opportunities that so many people around the world lack...I feel blessed to be an American...at least until this week.

I don't want to go on a rant...but I'm really sad and dissappointed.

I'm not dissappointed because we have a Democrat for a President-elect...I actually felt excited to witness history: the very first black man voted as President!

I'm confused by all of the negative comments I've heard...from Christians.

No matter who our President is or isn't, God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is in control and can do amazing things in our lives, regardless of who our country's leader is.

Speaking negatively isn't going to make things better and forcing others to think what we think is not going to help them see Jesus any better either.

I'm trusting God more than ever today and my prayer is that we, as the church, can demonstrate the love that God has demonstrated us to the rest of the world.