Am I the only one who gets asked by strangers why I’m not married or dating anyone? It’s bothersome enough when it’s from people I know at weddings or family gatherings, but total strangers who I’ve just met? (I guess it could be partly due to the fact that I work at a church where there are a lot of younger staff, all freshly married within the last two years or so.)
Granted, it’s a question I ask myself sometimes. My parents say I’m too picky, but I figure it’s better to be a little picky than not. For the most part, I’m okay with this single thing, but there are definitely moments when it would be nice for that dream to unfold in my life.
It’s always interesting when a bunch of us girls get together and start chatting late into the night. Everyone has their boyfriend/dating/break-up stories, and I just listen and throw in my one story about when I was 17… It always makes me feel a bit juvenile.
But I was reminded a couple nights ago that God is looking out for my best. As much as I complain at times that He hasn’t brought “the one” into my life as I watch all my friends (and the younger girls I used to mentor) get married, I found myself saying, “Thank you, Jesus.” For some reason, He is sparing me from unneeded pain and a damaged heart. He is allowing me to have my life and heart shaped without distractions. He is daily preparing me for what He’s got in store.
I’m sure I’ll go on complaining (and having random people gawk that some guy hasn’t “snatched me up”), but deep down I’ll quietly trust in the plan He is unfolding. I can’t see much of it yet, but I know it’s a good one.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
January's a-comin'
I had a blessed Christmas season, although it always seems to come to a close so quickly. There is such anticipation and build-up, and then in one fell swoop, it is finished and you are left picking up stray pieces of wrapping paper and disassembling the decorated tree.
But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If the whole year was as event-packed and frantic as December was, our life expectancy would probably be shortened by about 40 years. I’m always thankful for the January calm when it approaches with the freshness of a new year.
Yet as packed as this last month was, there were some sweet memories as well. I got to spend some quality time with my family – which is sometimes a rare thing with all of our conflicting schedules. The annual tree hunt is always a highlight.
A new addition to this years Christmas memories: an all-out Alias fest for my brother and I. 2 full seasons in the span of about a month – that’s a lot of TV time logged. (We found a new addiction and need to be caught up for when the 4th season starts on January 4.)
Another memory that I think needs to be at least a yearly occurrence - a trip to the nearby ice skating rink. Fun times had by all, especially Missy with her face-plant to the ice. Pictures will follow shortly.
But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If the whole year was as event-packed and frantic as December was, our life expectancy would probably be shortened by about 40 years. I’m always thankful for the January calm when it approaches with the freshness of a new year.
Yet as packed as this last month was, there were some sweet memories as well. I got to spend some quality time with my family – which is sometimes a rare thing with all of our conflicting schedules. The annual tree hunt is always a highlight.
A new addition to this years Christmas memories: an all-out Alias fest for my brother and I. 2 full seasons in the span of about a month – that’s a lot of TV time logged. (We found a new addiction and need to be caught up for when the 4th season starts on January 4.)
Another memory that I think needs to be at least a yearly occurrence - a trip to the nearby ice skating rink. Fun times had by all, especially Missy with her face-plant to the ice. Pictures will follow shortly.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
What excitement the city holds...
Friday night found me on the ferry to Seattle to meet up with a good friend of mine, Linnea. She and an old roommate of mine, Shannon, just moved into a darling one-bedroom apartment on Alki. Literally right across the street from the strip of beach front with a beautiful view of the lights of Seattle. I’m sure they will have lots of interesting stories that always seem to come from the one bedroom vs. two bedroom places. (I’ve found it is always better to air of the side of caution – get a place with enough bedrooms for each person), but the location is awesome.
After hanging out at her new place for a bit, we headed off to the Paradox to go to a Late Tuesday show – an indie girl band started up in Bellingham. The venue was a bit different (just an empty room with a stage – everyone was sitting on the cold, hard floor during the opening band. Felt a little like a Kindergarten room…), but LT was awesome, as always.
I took some pictures to post, but my camera’s memory card crapped out on me. This will have to do: Not The One
After hanging out at her new place for a bit, we headed off to the Paradox to go to a Late Tuesday show – an indie girl band started up in Bellingham. The venue was a bit different (just an empty room with a stage – everyone was sitting on the cold, hard floor during the opening band. Felt a little like a Kindergarten room…), but LT was awesome, as always.
I took some pictures to post, but my camera’s memory card crapped out on me. This will have to do: Not The One
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
It's Christmas Time in the City
Well, Stacey and I came out unscathed last night from the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza. The driver of a green Mazda almost took us out a couple times, but we managed to successfully drive about Silverdale without a wreck or lost limbs. And we didn’t do half bad on the shopping either, almost got everything I was looking for.
Some of my favorite moments:
A cheap dinner at Red Robin.
We both ordered our old standby, Kids sized Clucks and Fries. It’s genius really – you get two chicken strips and unlimited fries, just enough to make you full. Our server (realizing from our order that we weren’t going to be his big tippers of the evening) was great to us. I think he figured if he was very attentive to our needs and delivered speedy service, he might up his ante a little. And it worked. We are not known for our chintzy tips. (Thanks to my poor math skills, we once gave a $10 tip for a $30 breakfast. Sorry girls!)
Hallmark, when you care enough to give the very best.
After browsing through the Fresh Ink cards (and laughing at the Love section – depending on who you gave some of those cards to, it could get really staker-ish.), we walked up to the front to pay for the winning card. The Sales Associate was a little on the …. hmm, shall we say discourteous side? Not impressed. I used to work at Hallmark back in the day, so it stuck out to me all the more.
As we were attempting to exit the store, I whispered to Stacey, “Good thing we weren’t secret shoppers or something, huh?”
She quickly retorted, “Yeah, wasn’t she awful!” in a not-so-quiet voice, before we entered back into the abyss of the mall walkway.
“Why don’t you say that a little louder?” I had a good laugh at Stace’s expense after I pointed out her volume and she quickly turned bright red. The holiday shopping was quickly getting to our systems and we weren’t about to last much longer.
Just about gone.
Our last stop was at Pier 1. As we browsed around the store, we became those annoying shoppers – the ones who are laughing hysterically about nothing, shouting across the store at each other when we found a desired item, and making the sales person dismantle a candle display because we were in need of the item that held it all together. Thankfully we managed to leave the store intact as we departed.
~~~
One more Holiday tradition under the belt for this year. Just a couple more to go!
Some of my favorite moments:
A cheap dinner at Red Robin.
We both ordered our old standby, Kids sized Clucks and Fries. It’s genius really – you get two chicken strips and unlimited fries, just enough to make you full. Our server (realizing from our order that we weren’t going to be his big tippers of the evening) was great to us. I think he figured if he was very attentive to our needs and delivered speedy service, he might up his ante a little. And it worked. We are not known for our chintzy tips. (Thanks to my poor math skills, we once gave a $10 tip for a $30 breakfast. Sorry girls!)
Hallmark, when you care enough to give the very best.
After browsing through the Fresh Ink cards (and laughing at the Love section – depending on who you gave some of those cards to, it could get really staker-ish.), we walked up to the front to pay for the winning card. The Sales Associate was a little on the …. hmm, shall we say discourteous side? Not impressed. I used to work at Hallmark back in the day, so it stuck out to me all the more.
As we were attempting to exit the store, I whispered to Stacey, “Good thing we weren’t secret shoppers or something, huh?”
She quickly retorted, “Yeah, wasn’t she awful!” in a not-so-quiet voice, before we entered back into the abyss of the mall walkway.
“Why don’t you say that a little louder?” I had a good laugh at Stace’s expense after I pointed out her volume and she quickly turned bright red. The holiday shopping was quickly getting to our systems and we weren’t about to last much longer.
Just about gone.
Our last stop was at Pier 1. As we browsed around the store, we became those annoying shoppers – the ones who are laughing hysterically about nothing, shouting across the store at each other when we found a desired item, and making the sales person dismantle a candle display because we were in need of the item that held it all together. Thankfully we managed to leave the store intact as we departed.
~~~
One more Holiday tradition under the belt for this year. Just a couple more to go!
Monday, December 13, 2004
Theatre, the theatre...
Wow – crazy weekend! Between the Dessert Theatre and the Christmas Concert, I was one busy chica. 6 performances in 4 days is enough to wear anyone out. Strolling into work today felt a little premature. Having been at the church all weekend, I was not necessarily thrilled to see it again come this morning.
Over all, everything went great, though. Had my debut for singing a solo and actually didn’t do half bad. The first two nights I was a little shaky, but I mentally pep-talked myself through it. (At least I knew the lyrics well enough that I was able to silently lecture myself while singing.) By Saturday, I had it down – of course this was our last performance, naturally.
Here is the rising star:
Over all, everything went great, though. Had my debut for singing a solo and actually didn’t do half bad. The first two nights I was a little shaky, but I mentally pep-talked myself through it. (At least I knew the lyrics well enough that I was able to silently lecture myself while singing.) By Saturday, I had it down – of course this was our last performance, naturally.
Here is the rising star:
Friday, December 10, 2004
Giving up Control (at least what control I thought I had)
Sometimes this temporal life that I lead seems to take center stage. I get caught up in the day to day of my earthly existence and fail to see the broader scope of things.
So many times, as I go about ‘life,’ I get so tunnel-visioned. I somehow get it into my head that what I see is all there is. I am the one in control, if I am not the one to make everything happen, my life will fall by the wayside.
I do agree that I have a part (I can’t just sit as a bump on a log and expect my gifts to be used and steps to be taken for me). I do need to make good decisions, and follow what is placed in my path, but I don’t need to create that path. All of my days were appointed before one of them even came to be. It’s such a freeing realization and reminder.
Even if I can’t see around the bend of the next step or the ten year plan, it’s okay. I just need to follow the promptings that I have, and learn to trust more fully in my Lord who is leading. He’s putting together a story with my life that will bring Him glory and honor.
So many times, as I go about ‘life,’ I get so tunnel-visioned. I somehow get it into my head that what I see is all there is. I am the one in control, if I am not the one to make everything happen, my life will fall by the wayside.
I do agree that I have a part (I can’t just sit as a bump on a log and expect my gifts to be used and steps to be taken for me). I do need to make good decisions, and follow what is placed in my path, but I don’t need to create that path. All of my days were appointed before one of them even came to be. It’s such a freeing realization and reminder.
Even if I can’t see around the bend of the next step or the ten year plan, it’s okay. I just need to follow the promptings that I have, and learn to trust more fully in my Lord who is leading. He’s putting together a story with my life that will bring Him glory and honor.
Friday, December 03, 2004
One of those mornings...
It’s just been one of those mornings so far that you kind of shake your head at, but keep going.
I was running late from the get-go (which tends to happen if I hang out a little too late with good friends in a hot tub the night before). I’m not one to figure out the next day’s outfit the night before, but I’m sure that if I were, I could save some time in the mad dash to get out the door to work in the mornings. But thankfully today is Friday, and it’s a little more lax around the office as far as attire goes.
As I went to put on my shoes though, I discovered that I had carelessly put them on the floor under where I had hung my wet swimsuit from the night before. Let’s just say I got a dose of cold (and wet) feet this morning. As a result, those shoes were tossed aside and I had to search for a suitable pair of black work shoes. It also reminded me that I need to go shoe shopping – it’s been way too long.
Not having time to scrounge up some breakfast at home, I stopped by a local coffeeshop to indulge in a tall white mocha and a bagel (they also have breakfast burritos, which are delicious, but I figured a bagel was probably a safer option for this morning). Apparently it was also one of those mornings for the baristas too, because it took about 3 times longer that I would have hoped to get my coffee and breakfast. It was my day to open up the office, but I came in to discover my boss had done it for me. Not necessarily a good thing. J
I’m hoping the rest of the day goes a little smoother, but I’m not holding my breath!
I was running late from the get-go (which tends to happen if I hang out a little too late with good friends in a hot tub the night before). I’m not one to figure out the next day’s outfit the night before, but I’m sure that if I were, I could save some time in the mad dash to get out the door to work in the mornings. But thankfully today is Friday, and it’s a little more lax around the office as far as attire goes.
As I went to put on my shoes though, I discovered that I had carelessly put them on the floor under where I had hung my wet swimsuit from the night before. Let’s just say I got a dose of cold (and wet) feet this morning. As a result, those shoes were tossed aside and I had to search for a suitable pair of black work shoes. It also reminded me that I need to go shoe shopping – it’s been way too long.
Not having time to scrounge up some breakfast at home, I stopped by a local coffeeshop to indulge in a tall white mocha and a bagel (they also have breakfast burritos, which are delicious, but I figured a bagel was probably a safer option for this morning). Apparently it was also one of those mornings for the baristas too, because it took about 3 times longer that I would have hoped to get my coffee and breakfast. It was my day to open up the office, but I came in to discover my boss had done it for me. Not necessarily a good thing. J
I’m hoping the rest of the day goes a little smoother, but I’m not holding my breath!
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
The Lion King
Here's the highlight of my day - I bought 2 tickets to see the Broadway production of The Lion King! 
Steph and I will be going in early January. This makes it my 5th ballet/broadway show that I've seen in about 14 months - I'm finally becoming cultured! :)
Steph and I will be going in early January. This makes it my 5th ballet/broadway show that I've seen in about 14 months - I'm finally becoming cultured! :)
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