Christmas 2005

After much delay, my family finally celebrated Christmas. It was a great time full of gifts and lots of food. We had 14 people here, which for us is allot :) My mom and I did all the cooking (mostly her) but I helped make Jen's little M&M pretzel things.
This is a picture of us in the kitchen preparing and below is a picture of the M&M pretzel things. My mom and I argued over what we should call them and she wanted to call them something cute, with Jen's name included in the title, and I thought we shouldn't worry about it. Now that I'm having to write out 'Jen's M&M pretzel things' every time I refer to them, I wish I had gone with the cutesy idea. If you think of anything we could call them let me know...and don't forget to include Jen's name in the title because we attribute them to her. Here is a picture to help spark your creativity.

My parents broke the news to me over the phone that our tree was yet again fake this year. Maybe you get a real tree every year or you've never known what it's like to have a real tree but ours was fake again this year, adding yet another tally mark to the fake tree list. We lit a candle for a pine scent and crossed our fingers that people wouldn't notice our imposter tree all lit up in the living room. I will admit though that it was a step up from the other fake tree that I grew up with. This one is full bodied and covered in white lights. Very classy and actually quite nice. I've come to accept it and have come to grips with the fact that I was only allowed a real tree for three short Christmases. But Christmas isn't about the tree, isn't that right Jen? I don't want to sound ungrateful about the tree so let me show you how beautiful the tree actually was...this is my favorite angle!

Before dinner some of us went to the putting practice holes to brush up on our skills (for those of you reading this who don't know, we live on a golf course, actually on hole 16, in Pinehurst, NC). It wasn't long before I was reminded that I don't have any. I've come to terms with that fact and have moved on. I think I was still in denial when this picture was taken. You would think that someone who is twenty-three could putt better and straighter than a ten year old, but no, not me. My niece, Hollie, was far better at it than I. My dad and my nephew, Josh, were in shock over my lack of talent. Don't worry, I'm not going to let it get me down.

I hope that you all had an eventful Christmas full of fun times with your families and friends. I missed all of you who I didn't get to see this year, maybe 2006?

This will be my last Christmas post, probably, so............................until next year!!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

It's just hair, right?

It's funny the different things that happen while at work. We have a customer that we have some trouble with here and there. He likes to stand outside and ask for money when he is running low. If any of you are familiar with the Valencia area you would know that this is not the average Joe. Today he pulled aside the Assistant Manager on her way into work and asked her for a favor. She, knowing that he usually asks for a handle bag and is on his way, told him 'sure'. She didn't know what she was getting into because he then asked her to pull back his shoulder length hair into a pony-tail. In shock she didn't really know what to do, so she pulled back his hair and then came into work. She told us the story, we all laughed, not really believing that anyone would do that. We gave her a hard time about it all day and it still makes me chuckle when I think about it.

Tonight, upon being reminded again of the humorous event I was hit with what really bothered my manager. She was upset that he would ask her to do such a thing that would humble her and make her look a certain low way in the eyes of any who would see. Christ truly did humble Himself when He would wash the feet of His disciples or eat with those of lesser stature than Him. People would see and think things, that hasn't changed since then, yet He loved and did not care about the opinions of others.

I guess if it had been me that had to pull back his hair, I would have reacted the same way and made a funny story about it so that everyone would react and give me attention. Christ wouldn't have though. He would have gladly pulled back his hair and loved him, not making a scene but only being recognized by His father. I mean, it was just hair, right? Oh to be like Christ!

this is for you cracker!

Today at work I bought something that our apartment has been looking for. Any guesses? Mistletoe!! I was out changing the trash and a little boy was selling it for a dollar. I made him wait and I ran inside to get my dollar. Ho told me that he climbed up trees to get it. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with the money he was making but he was worried about running out of time to get people gifts before christmas. I know the feeling.

The whole experience gave me that christmasy tingle inside. It seems like that doesn't happen that much anymore and the question is whether its me or the world around me...or both. I saw a pole while I was working out today that over 60% of people say 'happy holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'. What happened to baby Jesus and Bethlehem? It seems like today Christmas is just an excuse to get gifts and go into debt.

more pics...

introductions!

Mandy, Esther (Asian Roommate), Me, Sarah ('cracker' roommate), Kristie

This is a picture of all us 408 girls after we had our Christmas celebration

Well, I think its time we all got to know each other. Some of you that are members of this blog have never met, yet have the common bond of this website.

These are all my roommates, some of you may recognize either by name or by face. I hope this helps!

we wont go until we've got some!!

Ahhh...figgy pudding...This settles the mystery as to the identity of what figgy pudding is. It actually looks pretty tastey.

BRING US A FIGGY PUDDING!!!!

would you like whipped cream with that?

I was working today and something famous happened...
Yup, David Elliot stopped by my Starbucks and I rang him up for his grande peppermint mocha. None of us recognized him and then I said 'you look really familiar to me' and then one of my co-workers said 'you're a guy from that TV show' and then David said 'JAG'. Needless to say, I still didn't get it but then it clicked. Yeah. I think my mom was the most excited about it.

all creatures great and small

I was on the phone tonight and went home, like normal, and walked in forgetting that one of my roomates (Esther) was having a 10th grade English study party. Yup, I walked in talking at an appropriate decible and had about 18 little eyes staring at me...oh well, I'm over it. Actually...one of them is still in our living room RIGHT NOW and its ten past 10. He is talking about his purpose in life. Pretty cool I guess, but we're wondering where his mother is. It may not seem funny to you but I think the irony lies with the fact that he is Asian and Esther is Asian...they were meant for each other. Oh wait, she is his teacher...never mind.

and many more...

Well, the day has come, well, come again. Yup, the big 23. A guy at work today told me he didn't think they made those anymore...I thought that was pretty funny. Its been a good day, busy but good. It all started with sbucks...I have to say that I'm glad I worked today. I got in and they had a banner saying that it was my birthday and I had some goodies in the back room. The fact that someone had a birthday was a good conversation starter with the customers too, so it was a pretty smooth flowing day. Sometimes its hard to think of what to say to total strangers, but all the same, entertaining to try.

I had four people sing to me today on both voicemail and the normal telephone.

I had many emails (all of which I was very grateful for!)

I got some new headphones for my ipod, so now I can listen without the headphones constantly popping out...small ears are a curse with those things.

Yah, lots of other things happened today too, but I'm tired and don't feel like getting into it.

Well, my bed is calling me and the Siren awaits me at 6:30am...buenos noches

...the end of the beginning...

Well, this is the start of a road I said I would never go down. I'm avoiding the mySpace frenzy but thought I could justify having a blog...so if I know you from either the past or the present, please say 'hi'. I'd love to hear from you!!