Disneyland Part 2

He DOES exist...

Disneyland Part 1

One of my favorite things is to go to Disneyland. Brent is an especially fun Disneyland companion (except for the fact that he doesn't like rides... he's getting better, though)
One of our favorite rides is the train- it takes you all around the park. It's nice, especially when I had mono but didn't know I had mono and would be totally exhausted for no reason- sitting down for 20 minutes made me feel a whole lot better. One of the last times we rode the train, we sat behind two ladies who hadn't been to Disneyland in over 20 years and were having dinner at Club 33 (and clearly had NO IDEA what a big deal that was... Brent and I made sure they knew that that was a big deal).
They were discussing where to go until dinner time and what to do afterwards and didn't know where anything was, so I offered them my map and we got to talking about how different Disneyland is now and out of nowhere comes Edward. Edward was working on the train that day and within 30 seconds not only did he manage to totally interject himself into our conversation by telling the ladies what they should and shouldn't do, but he also managed to shatter my dreams of watching my children in the Jedi Training Academy... he heard that it was going away in the next 3 years (I bet he made that number up)... anyways- he talked our ears off for the rest of our train ride.
When we got off the train I remember saying to Brent "Was that guy for real??"
Yes. He was.
We saw him again a few weeks later, and I talked Brent into taking a picture of me with him in the background so that I could blog about it, and again, he couldn't help but interject himself into our business.

This picture so perfectly captures his personality.
Here's Edward elfed.
He's a sweet guy, and he gave me a great picture-story to tell.

oh wow...

Last night, I found my first gray hair...
at first I wanted to have the typical "freak out" response, where I have a BIG and LOUD reaction and make a huge deal about my "fading beauty" and how I'm "reminded of my own mortality"... oh wait- that IS the reaction I had...
but this morning I was thinking about it and I thought "Is it really that big of a deal?"...
no. not really.
But still...

Juno

I can't wait to see this movie...

"Juno has an implicit pro-life sensibility: Life is life, and deserves to be nurtured, even -- if not especially -- when everything around it is broken."

So what do you think, homeskillet? Wanna go?

Did you hear the big news?

I just found out that I have readers in SEVEN other countries!
So exciting!

oh gross...

Courtney inspired me to post this:

Dear Jessica,

Ever since you blogged about eating lunch at Trader Joe's, I've been thinking about it. In fact, I think about it every day at lunchtime and think "I wish I knew how to get to Trader Joe's from here."
Well, today I went.
And it was every bit as glorious as you'd described it.
So thank you, my dear Jessica, for a wonderful recommendation!
Love,
me

jesus....

You are my holiday
You are right in the middle of me
You are my hideaway
You are home

I’m calling out your name
Oh my holiday
You make my heart new
And I love you!
What it is I’m trying to say
Is you are my favorite part of me

Holiday by Shane and Shane

update

Hello Lovers,
Sorry. I haven't felt much like blogging lately. Not that i don't have things or events to blog about, but I haven't been feeling all that hot and just didn't feel like it.
As it turns out, there's an actual, legitimate reason that I have been sick for so long- I have mono.
Actually, it's an Epstein Barr Virus Infection. It's the virus that causes mono, and less than 10% of people with EBV have ANY symptoms at all- it usually lies dormant. (Did you know you can be a carrier of mono and not have it? That's what EBV is- most adults have been infected at some point in their lives, which is why it's uncommon for older adults to have mono- they've already been exposed to the virus)
But in my lucky case, I have all the wonderful symptoms of mono- persistent sore throat, fever (first time I've ever had a fever over 99.... not fun), body aches, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, and exhaustion (It's nice to know that there's actually something going on in my body rather than feeling like a weakling for being totally and completely exhausted from walking across the mall)...
But it's just easier to call it mono than to say "I have what causes mono, and I have all the symptoms of mono, but it's not actually mono... "
So that's the latest and greatest.
Love you all,
Amber

*Please disregard most of this post: I found out on Friday that it is indeed Mononucleosis.

not my best score, but by far my best picture

is it five yet?

five minutes until time to go home and I am pubic, pubic, pubic.

what I've learned (or re-learned) in the last week..

if you leave the unenclosed room and people can still smell you... you're wearing too much perfume.
what may be "not that big of a deal" to you can mean the world to someone else...
every day is a gift, nothing is promised, every breath is a gift from God.
I am in control of nothing. Except my attitude.
I must strive to put flesh and blood on the Reconciliation of all things...
Laughing makes it better, no matter how much it hurts

Christmas time!!!!

41 Days 'till Christmas!!!

check out this ADORABLE website

Cutest Christmas Website Ever

It even has a place where you can see if you'll be on the Naughty or Nice List and print out a certificate!

Kristi put hers on her refrigerator!

TEMPTATION!!

This weekend I went to Bath and Body Works and bought something I wouldn't normally buy- food flavored lip gloss.
I generally don't enjoy scents and smells that smell like food- I strongly dislike vanilla flavored anything. I know a lot of people love this flavor- I just don't.
So I'm at Bath and Body Works, smelling my way around the store and I get to the "Temptations" table- where they have flavors like Cinnamon Roll, Gingerbread and Cherry Pie. I guess you could say I'm kind of a glutton for punishment- for some reason whenever I see these flavors, I can't help but smell them. I usually end up with my face wrinkled up saying "oh gross" "that's foul" "smell this, it smells like feet" and other very classy remarks laced with expletives so loudly that it makes Brent blush...
So I got to the Pecan Passion flavor and I had no words.I loved it.
I wanted to drink it.
No really- I was seriously tempted to drink a 3-in-1 body wash/shampoo/bubble bath... like a 3-year-old.
So, I bought the lip gloss.
It doesn't really taste like it smells... it has more of a lipstick-y taste to it than the glorious Pecan Passion aroma it possesses... but it's still amazing.

overheard...

*"shut your mouth... You're the stupid retard who takes everything so damn personal... "

*Woman on monorail talking to her 18-month-old son who is screaming in my ears: "Let's count! Ready? A, B, C, D...." me (to Brent, but too loudly because I have no class):"that's not counting..."

*Q:"Where's Jon?" A: (yelled across the office) "Oh, he's in Derek's hole."

only me...

So I'm a nail-biter.

I admit it.

In the past I've worn acrylic nails to try to break myself of the habit but it never really worked- when I thought I was "cured" I'd have the falsies taken of and I'd start right back up again. But lately, I've been trying to "quit" on my own and I'm quite proud of my progress. (progress is measured in nail length... no bleeding fingers=good news)



anywho...

I currently have fairly long, nice nails. and they're real.

and they're becoming a problem.

Today at lunch I saw a co-worker of mine waiting for his wife to pick him up and I waved. And I kept waving- I was in a silly mood.

That is, until my hand came so close to my face that one of my nice, new, long fingernails caught the inside of my nose causing me to somehow (simultaneously) scratch and punch myself in the face...



only I could manage that one...

yup

it's true

LOST!

this blog includes some bits of "tmi" (too much info)... You've been warned


Brent's blog about Disneyland reminded me that I had not blogged about my scary experience last week.
Sunday's are my favorite because we usually get to go to Disneyland. Hear me: I'm not a crazy Disney freak- I don't own a t-shirt with Mickey on it, I don’t have Pooh Bear bumper sticker or a Minnie Mouse license plate cover. I just like going and it’s a fun date-night that doesn’t get old.
So every Sunday I have this “parking lot ritual” where I go through my purse and pull out the following and put them strategically in my pockets or nicely ask Brent to hold them for me: chapstick/lip gloss, Disneyland pass, drivers license, debit card, Kaiser card (just in case), and an Advil or a migraine pill (I often get headaches) and for some reason this week I decided to bring about two dollars in quarters. Every week I wrestle with the dilemma taking my cell phone with me or leaving it in the car. I usually end up leaving it in the car (Brent has two, so it’s okay).

This week was a little different. We ate a late breakfast and got to Disneyland around 3:30 (no lunch yet). In the car I took some medicine because I was starting to get a migraine. First thing we did when we arrived was go to Woody’s Round up and decorated Halloween cookies. (and by that I mean we decorated aah cookie)
After that my tummy was starting to hurt from taking medicine without food, so we went over to Gapetto’s café and I got a toddler meal which was just the cutest thing ever. It came with about four ounces of macaroni and cheese (which wasn’t bad- it’s one of my favorite foods so I can say that with confidence) some no sugar added apple sauce and a baby bottle of water.

We then rode two rides (I think) and then my tummy started hurting. Not like, “oh mommy, my tummy hurts I can’t go to school today” but like my stomach was being ripped to shreds from the inside out. I thought I was going to die. Or explode, then die.

But I couldn’t “go”.

So we decide to go and ride pirates before we use our fastpasses for Haunted Mansion. Then suddenly: I needed to use the restroom.

So I turn to brent and say, “I have to go to the restroom, I’ll meet you guys at the exit” and then take off for the ladies room to pay my water bill.

I take care of my business then mosey on over to the exit for Pirates of the Carribean. And wait. And wait. And wait. (Remember: I don’t have my cell phone, so I don’t know how long I’ve been waiting- I have a terrible concept of time)
So then I think: “oh no, what if they really WEREN’T going on Pirates first! What if they went on Haunted Mansion??” So I run over to the exit for Haunted Mansion- they’re not there. Of course they’re not there. We had FOUR fastpasses. There were FOUR of us. They wouldn’t use them without me… duh.
So I run back over to the exit for Pirates. They’re STILL not there. So I wait, and wait, and wait. I’m starting to panic. “Where are they? What if they came off the ride while I was at Haunted mansion and then they went over to the bathroom to wait for me? What if I can’t find them? How will I get home? I don’t know Brent’s phone number. OMG I’M LOST AT DISNEYLAND!!!”
So I calmly walk over to the hostess for Blue Bayou and say “I’m lost.” She smiles. I’m a 24 year old woman. Who’s lost. So I ask her, “Is there a pay phone nearby?”
I’ll give you one guess as to who I called with the change that I HAPPENED to have in my pocket... (thank you, Jesus)
Yup. My Dad.
Here’s me, after having to call him three times to get him to pick up (nutso people call him all the time so he doesn’t answer strange numbers):
“Daddy it’s me! I’m lost at Disneyland! I don’t have my phone and I don’t know Brent’s number! Can you staffnet him and call him and tell him where I am??”
At that point, Andrew walked right up to me and I was no longer lost.

It was pretty scary. So now I have Brent’s phone number memorized, and the four of us have a meeting place “just in case we ever get lost again” and by “we” they mean “me”.

because I know you care

22 days until Thanksgiving

55 days until Christmas

Dear Professor Isaacs,

Remember that paper I wrote about the symbolism in Harry Potter and speculating as to the author's intentions? And remember how you wouldn't say in class what you thought but then told me in your office that you agreed with me?
We were right.
Feels good, huh?
Amber

my day

6am wake up. re-set alarm for 6:30 (my hair is clean, i can shower tonight)
6:30 hit snooze
6:45 get out of bed and get ready
7am leave for work
7:05 get gas
7:13 get coffee
7:21 on road for work
8am start work
12pm lunch (Rubio's. I ate a churro. Decided it would taste REALLY good if only it was spicy, so I dipped it into my salsa. not bad... but very weird, i realize)
1pm back to work- spend all afternoon on phone with panicked parents convinced that their children's dorms are on fire
2:30 classes cancelled until monday- the phone calls pour in.
4:48 attempt to leave to go home
4:49 overhear phone conversation between my supervisor and someone very important that after hours phone message needs to be changed... i'm the only person who can do this...
5:05 overhear my supervisor say, "but we don't really have anyone who can work the switchboard until 11pm......"
(wanna bet?)
6:15 Amazing boyfriend brings me dinner
11pm I get to go home

don't worry. this is actually working out to be a pretty sweet deal... ;)

brent

oh jeez...

So I was having a conversation with someone this morning, well, it was really just me talking and the other person smiling and listening and occasionally nodding- and it hit me- "I'm being ridiculously annoying right now"

Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever caught yourself being that weirdo?



it happens to me often...

Rules for Work

1. Never give me work in the morning. Always wait until 4:00 and then bring it to me. The challenge of a deadline is refreshing.
2. If it's really a rush job, run in and interrupt me every 10 minutes to inquire how it's going. That helps. Or even better, hover behind me, advising me at every keystroke.
3. Always leave without telling anyone where you're going. It gives me a chance to be creative when someone asks where you are.
4. If my arms are full of papers, boxes, books, or supplies, don't open the door for me. I need to learn how to function as a paraplegic and opening doors with no arms is good training in case I should ever be injured and lose all use of my limbs.
5. If you give me more than one job to do, don't tell me which is priority. I am psychic.
6. Do your best to keep me late. I adore this office and really have nowhere to go or anything to do. I have no life beyond work.
7. If a job I do pleases you, keep it a secret. If that gets out, it could mean a promotion.
8. If you don't like my work, tell everyone. I like my name to be popular in conversations. I was born to be whipped.
9. If you have special instructions for a job, don't write them down. In fact, save them until the job is almost done. No use confusing me with useful information.
10. Never introduce me to the people you're with. I have no right to know anything. In the corporate food chain, I am plankton. When you refer to them later, my shrewd deductions will identify them.
11. Be nice to me only when the job I'm doing for you could really change your life and send you straight to managers' hell.
12. Tell me all your little problems. No one else has any and it's nice to know someone is less fortunate. I especially like the story about having to pay so much in taxes on the bonus check you received for being such a good manager.
13. Wait until my yearly review and THEN tell me what my goals SHOULD have been. Give me a mediocre performance rating with a cost of living increase. I'm not here for the money anyway.

This makes me laugh so hard... it also makes me extremely appreciative and grateful for my boss.

Love is something more stern and splendid than mere kindness.
Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
-C.S.Lewis

God only knows what I'd be without you...
-The Beach Boys

guess what?

66 days 'till Christmas!!!!!

I don't think I've been this excited about Christmas in my entire life! I'm just SO EXCITED for everything to be lit up with lights and my house to smell like spices and for the weather to pretend to be cold... My mom always lets me wrap ALL of her presents-she thinks I'm doing her a favor but really it's one of my favorite things to do- wrap presents and watch Christmas movies like Home Alone, LoveActually, White Christmas, Sleepless in Seattle, It's a Wonderful Life, While You Were Sleeping...
oh! and Hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows! My very VERY favorite tradition that my mom and I started a few years ago.
I'M SO EXCITED!!!

(33 days 'till Thanksgiving for those of you who don't love Jesus and are annoyed by my Christmas countdown)

Bee Careful/Don't Eat Thees

So outside my work today I noticed some caution tape wrapped around two pillars that are about 15 feet from one another. Later, while walking to another office, I walked past the "scene of the crime" and saw that between the pillars were about fifty DEAD BEES.
So rather than sweep them up and throw them away, maintenance put up caution tape... like someone's gonna walk by a bunch of dead bees and try to lick them or something...

change

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was

I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
-Brandon Heath

I'm so glad I'm not who I once was. Have you ever looked back at a past relationship or a past friendship and felt super embarassed at the way you acted? Maybe you acted out of pain. Maybe it was deffensivism. Maybe it was bitterness, anger, frustration, or jealousy... You know that Relient K song, "Who I am hates who I've been"? that's my song... He's a big God, he makes us new.
Praise Him. Praise Him. Praise Him.

I'm a magician/I love my job

So yesterday I turned this:











into this:

TWENTY FIVE TIMES

wanna see something really gross?

Cute Overload

i blooped

The Jars of Clay concert last night was amazing. NeedToBreathe opened for them and let me just say that I am now a fan. Those guys are super rad and I can't wait to get their cd's. In fact, they were so good that they inspired me to write my first fan letter. That's right, I'm 24 years old and this morning was the first time I've ever written a band to tell them how much I love them.
Jars gave an excellent show as well, except Dan dances like Buster from Arrested Development, which was a little distracting at times. Aside from that, they did not dissapoint. In fact, we got to be at a "special" night where the concert was videotaped (maybe for a new DVD??) AND they played CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!

75 days till Christmas!!!

(Brian and Brent: stop rolling your eyes)

actual phone conversation from today

obsessive mother, panicked, irritated, angry and talking really, really quickly (profanities have been omitted to keep it G-rated): I was just told that there's no way for me to call my daughter's room directly. If I have to call the main line and be transferred to my daughters extension by the operator every time I want to call her, then I have a problem with that because the switchboard is only open from 8-5 Monday through Friday. What if her cellphone wasn't working and there was an emergency where I needed to contact her, for example if there was an earthquake, terrorist attack or a fire?"

me (not thinking): "Ma'am, I'm sure that if there was a fire, your daughter wouldn't be in her room."


**jo-haa-nathan requested that I clarify that there IS indeed a way to dial directly to the dormrooms... we're not that ghetto...

makes me laugh every time...

Parental discretion is advised.

Wedding

My cousin got married yesterday at the Botanical Gardens in Arcadia. It was so much fun to see my awesome family and see my cousin get hitched!
Highlights:
*It was an outside wedding in an orange grove 50 yards in front of a waterfall!!!
*Having my mom ask me and my cousin to go stand up in front of the waterfall in front of all the wedding guests BEFORE the ceremony so she could take our picture... to which I replied: "Absolutely not"
mom:"why not??"
me: "Don't be ridiculous. You can take our picture AFTER THE WEDDING"
my aunt, who's sitting next to my mom: "Thank you, Amber. That's what I told her"
*Playing 20 questions with my cousin about what kind of wedding I want
*listening to 12 different versions of the wedding march on the way there, each one "just a little different" and trying to help my dad pick out the perfect one for Tom and Heidi
*freaking my dad out by lying and telling him I want to get married at Disneyland
*freaking my mom out by lying and telling her I want Chick-Fil-A to cater my wedding
*Tom being so "vacclemt" that he couldn't say his own wedding vows
*My uncle almost dying because he ate cake with strawberries
*the most awkward best man speech I've ever heard (I'm tempted to say "ever" but I'm sure there have been worse) "The only reason Tom asked me to be his best man is because I blackmailed him- that's why none of you recognize me... So now you've taken on every aspect of each other's lives.... how incredibly daunting that must feel.... hope it works out" (the best part was Tom's face- it was as though he was thinking "what the heck are you talking about? who would say something like that? please stop talking. Now.")
*Dancing with my Aunt's to "sexyback" (ask me for a demo- we tore up that dance floor!)
*passing out tums at the table like candy to my aunts and uncles
*remembering the funny parts about my cousin, Nicole's wedding (hi nicole! thanks for reading! Remember Katie at your wedding???)
*being "almost next"
*walking around barefoot because my feet were bleeding :(
*having so much fun I could hardly stand it!

blast from the past

This morning as I was leaving for work I came across my first mp3 player that I recieved as a gift when I was in college. It's a cute little thing about two and a half inches long that looks like a little red digital recorder. I still don't really know how to work it because the instructions were in chinese.
Anyways- I decided to bring it to work with me because fridays are usually ridiculously slow, and I've been rocking out all day!
it's fun to listen to all my favorite songs from four years ago- Matthew Ryan, Martina McBride, Guns n' Roses, My Chemical Romance, Journey, the All-American Rejects, Blink 182, Queen, SheDaisy, New Radicals, N'Sync, Outkast, Switchfoot, Coldplay... man, I was all over the place!

50th Post!

So for my 50th post, I've decided to list my 50 favorite romantic comedies...


um... not really.
I decided to list 5 (not fifty) things that you probably didn't know about me:

1) I love Social Distortion and Dashboard Confessional
2) I can speak Klingon.... not really... but I AM a huge Star Trek fan.
3) I love candy corn but won't eat the white tips (they taste funny). I once had a roommate who bought me a large bag of candy corn and spent an entire afternoon cutting off all the white tops for me.
4) I was a pole vaulting/soccer playing/cheerleading/actor in high school
5) I once won a thousand dollars in a singing competition for my performance of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina"

what made me laugh today...

up and at'em

I used to hate it when my mom would say that to me. Especially when it was on a saturday morning and all I wanted to do was sleep in...

anyways.

I'm at work today (hooray...)

I no longer feel like I'm dying and I actually might make it to the MuteMath concert tonight

Dear Flu,

Please don't kill me. That's what it feels like you're trying to do.
I hate you. Please leave.
Sincerely,
Amber

Dear Sour Skittles,

You've changed. I'm not a fan.

I miss sour orange. and lime. and grape.

Sour Green Apple and Sour Watermelon taste like feet. It makes me sad because I really liked you and now you're all Sour-greenappley and watermelony.

Dissapointedly,

Amber

my weekend (because I know you care)

Friday- ate chineese food with my parents, watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Mean Girls with my mom. I was trying to stay up until time for broomball at midnight- I couldn't do it... I'm an old lady....
Saturday- had lunch with Jon and Brent, went to HockeyMonkey, watched Brent fix our router problems like a champ, went to Sarah's birthday dinner then went to Brent's hockey game (Brent scored a goal, Jon had an assist and I didn't fall asleep!! Yay!)
Sunday- Roommate breakfast, watched Ugly Betty, lunch with Brent and then we watched ALL of season one of Arrested Development...

So basically my weekend was made up of eating and watching tv. . . . .

it was awesome.

wish list

*an illegal baby turtle (preferably from chinatown) that i will name jezebel
*new jeans
*a pink helecopter with matching helecopter pad installed on top of Courtney's house so my commute will be like three minutes (i do not need one installed at my work- i can use the helepad next door at the police station)
*the book that that guy read from last night at epic
*an oxygen mask because someone just spilled paint thinner in my office (truth be told: i tagged the back room- if you don't know what that means, chances are you grew up in south orange county or were homeschooled... no offense)
*a pink floyd cd to listen to... don't want the effect from the fumes to go to waste!
*tea from CFA
*a new purse- preferably the one from ugly betty
*for my brother to call me...
*Derek Webb's 3 newest records
*financial independence... make that independently wealthy so I could travel and volunteer
*a dog that will fit in my purse who I will call Pandora
*my grandma's ring
*the metabolism to eat whatever i want
*pink toenails
*perfect hair

what do you wish for?

this is me today....

right now: blogging
in 46 minutes: eating free pizza and ice cream (eating healthy has clearly gone out the window for the day)
in 1 hour and 46 minutes: back to blogging
in 5 hours and 46 minutes: getting in my car, driving somewhere to get something to drink (and by that I mean an iced tea or a slurpee)
6 hours from now: fighting friday traffic and going home to nurse this nasty nasty headache/cranky attitude and maybe go dancing or watch a movie... we'll see how I feel...

can I be mushy for five seconds?

Ugly Betty

"Real women snort when they laugh, have fat asses, wobbly upper arms and get PMS"

I love that show- I feel about as awkward as her half the time...

yup. that's right. i'm getting paid to sit here and answer the phone that's rung FOUR TIMES TODAY and watch tv on the internet.

nothing to do

This is how I feel. It's 9:05am and the phone has rang once. ONCE. I had two emails when I got into work and now I'm studying for the A+ exam and blogging...

lame-o

oh yea, and I'm the only one in the office, which means I have to STAY PUT.
double lame-o

Ain't that a kick in the head?

In the past week I've learned...


*I can't keep candy in my desk... I'll eat it all...

*Can't keep crackers here, either....

*Apparently people just can't help themselves... [there is a sign on my desk that says "ring bell for service" and nine times out of ten people feel the need to look me in the eye and ring the bell in defiance] I've almost bitten a hole in my tongue to keep from threatening to cut off their fingers...

*I can "hold it" longer than I ever thought possible... (I miss Bob and Wayne)

*Kim and Stacy were right... I do miss my parents

*I'm much more socially awkward than I thought I was... I get nervous and say weird things...

*Microsoft Office 2007 isn't as horrible as I thought it would be

*Tee shirts with inappropriate messages make me laugh out loud.... "HA!" (that's for you, annie)

*I wouldn't change the place I'm in for anything. even if it did mean not having to eat burnt leftovers from dinner because I have to save money ;) "it builds character" heck yes it does!

*this will always be my favorite movie scene: Preface- Sam's mom/Daniel's wife just died...

Daniel: So what's the problem, Sammy-o? Is it just Mum or is it something else? Maybe... school - are you being bullied? Or is it something worse? Can you give me any clues at all?
Sam: You really want to know?
Daniel: I really want to know.
Sam: Even though you won't be able to do anything to help?
Daniel: Even if that's the case, yeah.
Sam: Okay. Well, the truth is... actually... I'm in love.
Daniel: Sorry?
Sam: I know I should be thinking about Mum all the time, and I am. But the truth is I'm in love and I was before she died, and there's nothing I can do about it.
Daniel: [laughs] Aren't you a bit young to be in love?
Sam: No.
Daniel: Oh, well, okay, right. Well, I mean, I'm a little relieved.
Sam: Why?
Daniel: Well, because I thought it would be something worse.
Sam: [incredulous] Worse than the total agony of being in love?
Daniel: Oh. No, you're right. Yeah, total agony.

*my favorite part of the day is when my boss blasts "Everything I do, I do it for you" at 3:40 and lip syncs into a ruler

He is...

I know now Lord, why you utter no answer. You yourself are the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?
C.S. Lewis

why you shouldn't act like an idiot....

because you might hurt yourself.
Yesterday Brent and I had an AWESOME time at Disneyland, hanging out with friends, laughing and having tons of fun. we decided to leave around nine- we took the tram back to the parking structure. we were parked on the very top level, which means you take the one LOOOOONNNG escalator and then one baby escalator to get to the top level. the "up" side wasn't moving, but the "down" side was- so.... Brent started climbing the "up side" and i (like an idiot) decided i was going to run and beat him by going twice as fast up the "down" side, that was moving down....
yea... i got to the top and ate it... i pretty much belly flopped right onto the landing. (look for the video on youtube... the security guys probably peed themselves laughing at my wipeout watching it over and over and over again...)
i jammed my shoulder cut my elbow, both knees (one of which is swollen and i'm icing it periodically), i hurt my wrists and bonked my head on the side of the escalator... all in the name of.... not thinking

so if you see me walking around today- this is why i'm walking like THAT...

that's not my name

so today, I was sitting at my desk, minding my own beeswax, and one of my co-workers walked into my "area" and introduced me to two independant contractors who'll be working here with us for the next few weeks. Here's how the conversation went:
Ken: "Karen, Alexis, I would like to introduce you to our front office receptionist, Beth."
Karen and Alexis: "HI BETH! HI BETH! It's so great to meet you!"
I smile. "It's nice to meet both of you"
We shake hands.
Karen and Alexis both simultaneously look from my eyeballs, to my nametag (which says AMBER BAKER) back up to my eyeballs, confusedly smile (is confusedly a word? if not, it should be) look at each other, look back at Ken and he leads them next door to introduce them to everyone else in the office. by their correct name.

lame-o.

i'm a ten

Yes, it's 10:30 in the morning and I'm eating french onion flavored multigrain chips whilest drinking a Mountain Dew Code Red...
next is a twix bar... however, i might wait on that one until after lunch.
i have three good reasons to be stress eating. actually, not three. more like two. both of which will have bloggs dedicated to them later in the day.

outcast genius...

The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test
Your Score: Outcast Genius60 % Nerd, 52% Geek, 60% Dork



For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in all three, earning you the title of: Outcast Genius.

Outcast geniuses usually are bright enough to understand what society wants of them, and they just don't care! They are highly intelligent and passionate about the things they know are *truly* important in the world. Typically, this does not include sports, cars or make-up, but it can on occassion (and if it does then they know more than all of their friends combined in that subject).

Outcast geniuses can be very lonely, due to their being outcast from most normal groups and too smart for the room among many other types of dorks and geeks, but they can also be the types to eventually rule the world, ala Bill Gates, the prototypical Outcast Genius.

Congratulations!

cutest girls ever

Amber, Amber and Lisa- we thugs.

i think we were pretending to scream....

tag tag tag

Miss Heather tagged me...so I'm tagging Brent, Jon, Stacy, Jessica, and ARR!
It's fun! You have to use 3 words to answer each question. No more, no less. It's harder than you think!
1. Where is your cell phone? in my pocketbook
2. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend or Husband/Wife? Brent Russell Wessberg
3. Where is one of your parents? working at church
4. Cheesecake? i love it
5. Your favorite thing to do? Cherry on Top
6. Your dream last night? didn't have one
7. Your favorite drink? really cold water
8. The room you're in? arctic cold office
9. George Bush? he's the president
10. What you're good at? being totally ridiculous
11. One of your wish list items? a better car
12. Where did you grow up? mostly southern california
13. The last thing you did? high fived adrian
14. What are you wearing? black and white
15. Who stole your sunglasses, amber? stupid Indiana Jones....
16. Ketchup? absolutely love it
17. Your computer? Microsoft Office 2007
18. Your life? learning so much
19. Your mood? I'm a seven
20 your next blog? probably about caffeine
21. Your car is? on the brink
22. Your summer? hardest one ever
23. Your relationship status? so much fun
24. Your favorite color(s)? pink pink pink
25. When is the last time you laughed? three minutes ago
Ok...get blogging people!

Dear HelpDesk...

Dear Help Desk,

My computer, I believe, has fried. It smelled like burning plastic and now it won't turn on. Can you please come fix it?
Thanks!

Oh, and could you please fix it by tomorrow? Thanks!


*this is the second computer she's melted

Dear Help Desk,
I have a random question: we have a radio that was taken out of our car….what should I do with that???
Thanks!
*what??

Hi Helpdesk!
I just got a call that said that my computer is ready to be picked up and I wanted to email you to check to make sure that it really was ready... let me know if it's really ready and I'll come get it...
*what??? Why would we call you and say your computer is ready if it's not really ready?

This is an actual work request we received...

Room 202: Someone took a poop outside the window of room 202 on the ledge of the residence hall and it is sitting there. It would be very nice to have it removed before new students come in. Also. It would be nice to have the ledge around the residence hall cleaned of random trash items.... slightly large... for instance a sandal, hand cream, and previously mentioned poop. Thank You.

*WHAT?? in case you didn't catch it, this would mean that someone would have had to lean OUT THE WINDOW and do their business...

Dear Help Desk,
Is there any way for my email address to be changed? It's too hard for me to remember.
Thanks
-dumb student

*Their email address is lastname.firstname... but that's too difficult to remember

Dear HelpDesk-
I'm having trouble getting my computer to connect to the internet, do you mind if I bring it down and have Jon take a look at it?
-Lola
Hi Lola- Sure, no problem. Anytime this afternoon would be fine.


this is what she brought in to my office....



this is what i do every day....

shotgun?

A few weeks ago, I picked up dinner for a friend at Daphne's in Foothill Ranch. While waiting for her food, I decided to take care of my business or "pay my water bill" and I opened the door to the ladies room and this is what I saw:


um.... what?

I miss...

This guy.

so fun

So friday night I went with Brent, Andrew, Amber, Jon, Hayley and Lisa to Lauren's sports themed birthday party. We had so much fun playing catch phrase (on the sports category, of course!)

I even won a prize for guessing the the third closest guess to how many basketball shaped chocolates were in the bucket! My prize was a water game where you pump the little rings to get them to all line up on the bowling pin... I think I left it in Brent's car though... Brent won a headband. Actually, I think I won the headband but we traded. Brent's cool like that.


Saturday afternoon, Jon and I had Amber (who had pure, natural, God given talent- she's incredible) do our hair, you can check out Jon's new do here.



Saturday evening I dragged Brent to my office BBQ- he's such a good sport- we had so much fun hanging out with my co-workers eating incredible food... I've decided to teach myself to cook mexican food... i'm sure several blogs will follow detailing my cooking disasters- stay tuned!



Saturday night I went to Jon and Brent's hockey game and managed to SLEEP THROUGH THE WHOLE THING! i know, i know... loud hockey game, freezing cold ice rink, and yes, i still managed to sleep right through it. i missed an almost fight and Brent's assist... i'm lame.

Sunday before church I went running, then on the way to the tent for service, we (Brent and I) ran into most of the remaining pastors in missions as well as their wives and the Elliotts... it was so great to see everyone. After church we (Brent and I- noticing a pattern here?) met my dad for lunch at Disneyland and spent the day running around riding our favorite rides (we rode the train and buzz lightyear TWICE!) Then we met up with Andrew and Amber and rode Indiana Jones where I abandoned my favorite sunglasses by mistake... they're gone forever. (see previous blog)

Such a fun weekend. Pictures to come!

Dear Sunglasses,

I miss you.
We've been through so much together. You survived our fall into the harbor when Brent tipped us on the kayak. When your arm fell off, we worked through it together and you healed beautifully. You've shielded my eyes from the sun for many months. When we were together, I felt like a movie star. I'm sorry I abandoned you on Indiana Jones. I was distracted. I'm sorry that some stranger came along and abducted you. Be brave. Be strong. Make me proud.
Yours Always,
Amber

i'm in love

**********************************************************
Fall Into You- Sarah Kelly
p.s. 4
**********************************************************

So this morning the Business office called and said "we have bagels! come have one!" so being the food loving woman that I am, I cruised over there.

There were five cute little bagels wrapped in wax paper and for whatever strange reason that only God could explain, i just grabbed one. I didn't care what kind it was. Jackie said- "oh, that's an onion one" to which I replied "cool" and proceded to put spread on it and walk it back to my desk.

If you know me even a little bit, you probably know that I'm a fairly picky eater. I'm not by any stretch of the imagination an adventurous eater. I don't like my food to touch. I know what I like and I'm happy with that. New foods are not exciting to me- they annoy me.

I've never had an onion bagel before. The thought of eating an onion flavored anything at breakfast kind of grosses me out whenever I go to the bagel shop.

But today I knowingly and willingly ate an onion bagel.

And it was amazing.

I'm in love.

Blog Tag

Chym and Stack tagged me this morning... I was so excited to be one of the "chosen ones," I almost peed my pants. (almost)



The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their 8 things) and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.





The Random Facts/Habits:
1. I won't sleep with socks on
2. My eyes turn green when I've been crying
3. I don't like my food to touch and I hate Mayonnaise
4. I'm afraid of finding dead people in bathrooms
5. I'm in love with Neil Diamond (I don't care that he's an old man)
6. I kind of think that Jack Bauer and Harry Potter are real people
7. I passionately hate the Yankees and the 49ers
8. My favorite smell is men's cologne



I tag The cutest matchmaker ever, Jessica Almost Jenkins, Jon, and Shanda

tease

*****************************************************
want to- sugarland
ps: 3
*****************************************************

Dear Thursday,
We're so over. All day you felt like Friday, only to prove yourself to truely be Thursday. Not fair. I'm breaking up with you. I've found today to be more Friday than you'll ever be.
No, we can't still be friends.
Please don't call me again (unless you're really going to act like Thursday),
Amber

office supply party

A few weeks ago the secretaries here at Vanguard had what was called an "office supply party" where everyone brings all their unwanted and unused office supplies and puts them on tables out on the patio and then go crazy over what everyone else brought outside that they didn't want. it was pretty incredible to watch, especially that I had an amazing view of the whole ordeal from my desk. it was actually quite disturbing- watching ordinarily hopelessly professional unamused administratives throw down and get crazy- throwing elbows left and right to get to this unused item or that "I can't believe no one wants this" thing (Rolodex's or desk organizers... so sad..)

The girl I work with in the office was giving me a hard time all day- "you're not coming to the party, Amber?"

oh yea. nothing sound better than to venture outside my office and possibly end up with a black eye because i unknowingly got between the 65 year old lady with Texas hair and her soon to be new stapler. sure. be right out.

But being the "new girl" I couldn't avoid the "supply party" all day (yes, this "party" lasted all day) and my co-worker guilted me into going outside and "having fun"

{translation: I wasn't being a "team player"}

So i went outside and saw some pretty amazing stuff... pretty much everything from the set of "Office Space" and everything else from the early nineties came outside closets and storage units to die. I was amused.

I was especially amused by some of the pieces of "art" that were shockingly free... go figure that no one wanted to look at a ceramic TILE with a picture of a tiger leaning on a rock with the WORLD spinning behind him... i snagged that one immediately and sneakily put it up on my co-workers wall (i think he secretly thinks it's cheesy and ugly but was chicken to admit it because he thinks that i really actually liked it and that it was an actual gift... haha... that's funny)

The other "piece" was a pink, dark pink, light pink, mauve and green painting of a tea pot with hoffing awful roses and other disgustingly girly flowers that came to the frame to die... it's bad.

so i came back into the office and she said "how was it??" with a big smile of expectation on her face and i couldn't resist: "it was great!" i said. and i started to tell her about the painting from the early nineties that i just discovered and just as i was about to say the word "nauseating" she squealed and said "Oh my gosh I loved that one! I didn't know if you'd like it so I left it out there" and ran out the door leaving me there in the reception area with my mouth hanging wide open. she runs back into the office HOLDING THE PICTURE in her hands (it's 1'x4') giggling saying "where should we put it?" running around listing all the possible "new homes" for our new favorite painting.


Now it's in our break room.

the new four-letter--word

So last night at the Tuesday night house we watched America's Got Talent. (after eating at Lucille's for the FOURTH time in four days... at this point the mere thought of eating there again in the next six months makes my stommach turn... I'll need to muscle through it at least once more in the next week or so... but it'll just be for dessert so I don't mind that too much.... but that's neither here nor there)

It was a fabulous two hour season finale featuring special guests who sang with each of the four finalists and it was especially fun to see the "Audition All stars" perform together singing We are the Champions... three words: flaming pogo stick


The best part was when David Hasselhoff performed "This is the Moment" from the Broadway play Jekyll and Hyde... it actually wasn't horrible.


During his "special performance" they panned the audience, whos members were holding up lighters, babies and signs with phrases like "i'd like to hassle the hoff" and "i heart hoff"... but my personal favorite read: "Hoff it"


We read them out loud and I looked at Brent and said, "that kinda sounds like a cuss word!" So we decided that from now on, "hoff" will replace any curse word imaginable.

For example...

D: "Amber, you need to go fill in at the switchboard so Rachel can take her lunch."
A: "Hoff that!"


other examples include:
*oh hoff...
*what the hoff?
*where in the hoff are my keys??
*this coffee tastes like hoff...
*hoff YOU, buddy! (best when used while driving)
*your hoffing car is a piece of hoff... how the hoff do you have hoffing duct tape holding your car together? that's hoffing amazing..

Or you could "full name it" for a more dramatic effect...

*don't hasselhoff with me!
*woah... she just got hasselhoffed!



See? now you, too, can tell stories that contain expletives while still "keeping it clean."


For example: Last week in US Weekly there was a quote from Matt Damon about his wife, Luciana, that I just love. I previously couldn't include it in my blog because it was inappropriate. But now, using HOFF instead of another four letter word, I can, and will, include it:


"People say, 'Do you like being married?' HOFF no. It's a ridiculous thing to do. But I like being married to her."


Isn't that sweet?

hoff yea...

that's funny...

Today I drove past a chiropractor's office that had a sign out front that said "Crawl-in's Welcome"



Our new phone book has an add pasted to the cover for a bail bond company that uses as their slogan "We're ugly, but we're honest"



Dear man at Rubio's who wouldn't take no for an answer when you asked me for my phone number,
I'm sorry that you were so pushy that I had to give you a fake number. I kept telling you no but apparently that wasn't a word in your vocabulary. I did very much appreciate the free churro and drink upgrade, but I still won't go out with you. Thank you for understanding.

Dear Rubio's,
Thank you for making such yummy churros. They taste better than the one's at Disneyland and I don't have to deal with a snotty nosed kid in line in front of me trying to wipe his boogers on my pant legs. They're so yummy that to get one for free is a super sweet deal, even if I have to endure being harassed by one of your employees.

Dear person who's number happened to be the one I gave to the man at Rubio's,
I'm sorry.
Good luck.

sucker

**********************************************************
Friday- mid-morning
Not myself- John Mayer
7.9
**********************************************************

Someone in my office just made the yummiest smelling popcorn... now i'm so hungry i think my stommach is eating itself. But starting yesterday, I take my lunch earlier than I'm used to- 11:30. why, you ask, am I taking my lunch early? because somehow having been hired in the IT department I now get to fill in whenever it is needed for the swithboard/front desk reception for the whole school. yup, that's right. they pulled the ole' "bait and switch" on me and since i'm 1. nice and 2. can talk to people in a friendly way I now get to fill in for Rachel (the last of the student workers to stay at the swithboard position). She's the only receptionist we have so it has now become my job to keep her as happy as possible and give her breaks, bring her food and pretty gifts so she doesn't quit.... but she'll quit. I guarantee it. and you know who'll end up being the FULL TIME switchboard receptionist when she leaves? yup. me.

reasons why i'm so not excited about this:
1. I did not attend Vanguard University. I don't know where anything is. I don't know who anyone is. I look like an idiot when people ask me "where's the counseling department?" or "where's financial aid?" and i stare at the little map they gave me for five minutes before saying "i think it's here..." and point to a random building on the map...
2. There is no possible way to dial a Vanguard extention directly. This means that EVERY call that comes to the university goes through the switchboard.
3. You can't even get up to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water when you're at the switchboard because you're the only person answering phones.

i miss my old job.

uhggh...

**********************************************
Tuesday Morning
Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
p.s. 8.7

**********************************************
I couldn't sleep. All night.
I gave up at about 4:30 this morning and read a little bit, unpacked three more boxes (yay!) and now I've decided to blog about all the reasons why I couldn't sleep last night.
1) I'm distracted. For lots of reasons.
2) My new house is a quite a bit louder than my old house, so that'll take some getting used to...
3) I'm supposed to get my hair cut today. I know it sounds silly, but the last four times I've gone to get my hair cut, the lady has totally messed up. (no, I did not go to the same lady all four times) One time the lady "misunderstood" me and cut it about five inches too short and I ended up with a bob. (this happened because she was cutting my hair while my chair was facing away from the mirror- she "didn't like people watching" ... i wonder why...) The last girl I had do my hair took "artistic license" and gave me a 2inch wide chunck of blonde right on top of my head which is just now going away because i keep having to dye it to get it to be "normal" as well as a funky layer about four inches higher than the rest of my hair saying "now you can do more with it" and I said, yea, now my hair looks like I cut it myself, thanks. So I'm a little worried.
4) My phone kept ringing. all night. RINGING in the middle of the night! (We're talking 2am here, people) The whole reason I keep my phone ON at night is so if i'm NEEDED, I'm available. Like if my cousin needs a ride, or if my brother can only call me at that time or if so-and-so just broke up with so-and-so and needs to cry about it... I do not, however, leave my phone on so that I can be awakened by drunk-dialers on work nights...
uhggh....
I'm tired.

to be a gift

Monday Morning

PS: 2

Heart Song: Every Perfect Gift- Chris Tomlin

*****************************************

Has anyone ever said to you, "you are a gift"?

My friend Amy tells me that all the time. At first I thought it was strange, to actually be a gift, but as I've gotten to know her (and the more she's said it) the more it makes sense to me and the more I like it.

In James chapter 1 v. 17 it says, "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

I'll often walk away from a coffee date, lunch date or a day at disneyland and think "wow, that person is fabulous." Especially lately- I've had some pretty rad people breeze right through the doors of my heart without knocking, and I don't mind it one bit. God is blessing me in ways I never expected.

As I was walking to my car last night I thought about what Amy says to me all the time (it's something I say as well, on occasion, but only when I really mean it) and how every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord. I was thinking about the wonderful people in my life and how I'm such a blessed woman.

You're a gift.

Stress

I've decided that today I will blog about the things in my life that stress me out...


*having to completely move out of my room in my parent's house by noon this saturday (this will be the third weekend in a row that I will have been moving my crap around from one place to another)
*bossy student workers
*sold out concerts
*people who don't return phone calls
*people that come into my office who are clearly certifiable
*when someone at work emails me, then walks across the campus to see if I've recieved their email
*my man-tastic stress relief lotion (see previous blog)
*dropping my cellphone for the 37th time
*the fact that I still haven't finished the new Harry Potter book
*waiting (for lots of things)
*the fact that the jeans I bought FOUR weeks ago are already too big (which means that I have to go shopping. i hate shopping)
*drinking a ginger ale thinking it's mountain dew

that's enough of that...

Things that do NOT stress me out:

*big hugs
*finding out that I will get a big fat raise on the 16th of this month (holla!)
*ice cream with strawberries
*my rainbow flip-flops
*singing at the top of my lungs whilst driving
*Neil Diamond
*24
*my fabulous friends
*my pink beach cruiser
*my grandma's frozen peaches
*running in the rain


What stresses you out?
What doesn't stress you out?

what I thought I wanted...

**this is not a normal blog... quite a bit heavier than usual, but it's what's on my heart...**

what I thought I wanted by Sara Groves

Tuxedo in the closet, gold band in a box
Two days from the altar she went and called the whole thing off
What he thought he wanted, what he got instead
Leaves him broken and grateful
I passed understanding a long, long time ago
And the simple home of systems and answers we all know
What I thought I wanted, what I got instead
Leaves me broken and somehow peaceful

I keep wanting you to be fair
But that’s not what you said
I want certain answers to these prayers
But that’s not what you said

When I get to heaven I’m gonna go find Job
I want to ask a few hard questions, I want to know what he knows
About what it is he wanted and what he got instead
How to be broken and faithful

Staring in the water like Esops foolish dog
I can’t help but reflect on what it was I almost lost
What it was I wanted, what I got instead
Leaves me broken and grateful
I’m broken and grateful
I want to be broken and grateful
I want to be broken, peaceful, faithful, grateful, grateful
I want to be broken, peaceful, faithful, grateful, grateful



I was driving home last night after a movie with some fabulous people and this song came on... and it hit me like a brick wall- I survived (insert situation here)...
but it wasn't ME. I didn't get myself through all that junk- jesus did. my redeemer. my healer. my savior. he held my hand and lead me step by step through the most disgusting wasteland of anger, pain, hurt, bitterness and despair... he walked right through it with me.
I wish I could say I trusted him with every step. I wish I could say that I was faithful.
but I can't say that. I doubted. I questioned. I pulled away.
but He never left. He never turned His back. even when it felt like it. feelings don't always tell the truth.
He IS.
he restored me. he healed me. he forgave me. he taught me to forgive. he taught me to forgive myself. he set me free.
He brought amazing women into my life who helped me cry. and helped me smile and laugh... a lot.
but looking back, i wouldn't trade it.


sunrise- nichole nordeman

[yes, more song lyrics. don't roll your eyes- no one's making you read this ;) ]


if i had the chance
to go back again
take a different road, bear a lighter load
tell an easy story...
I would walk away with my yesterdays
and I would not trade what is broken for beauty only
every valley, every bitter chill
made me ready to climb back up the hill and find that
You are sunrise
You are blue skies
how would i know the morning if i knew not midnight?
You're my horizon
You're the light of the new dawn
so thank you, thank you
that after the long night... You are sunrise

there's a moment when faith caves in
there's a time when every soul is certain God is gone
but every shadow is evidence of sun
and every tomorrow holds out hope for us
for everyone of us
you alone will shine
you alone can resurrect this heart of mine



so last night as I was driving home i was just so overwhelmed with gratitude. Thankful that 1) I didn't get what I thought I wanted and 2) God has used this time in my life to grow me more than I thought was possible.
I don't know why he wastes his time on me... maybe it's that whole "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" thing...

this is me... throwing a pubic...

so, I just got paid $96 to sit at a desk and do nothing all day.
and by "nothing," I mean nothing..

My brother and I would always laugh when we'd watch Office Space, joking that we needed to get jobs where we could do nothing all day and get paid for it...
But it's actually not that great.
Really.
It's quite boring.

and it's making me very VERY pubic. so much so that not only do I not want to go dancing tonight (it's what I do on monday nights... it's my thing) but I don't want to talk to anyone; I don't want to look at anyone. At least not in this office. Everyone is running around like crazy people with loads to do and I have to sit at this desk and answer the phone when it rings three times during the day and smile at people when the walk in the door only to have them walk right past me because they know where they're going and what they need and who they need to talk to...
they don't need my help.
nobody needs my help.


Now don't get me wrong. I'm grateful to have a job. I know there's lots of people out there that are unemployed and looking for work. I'm thankful and truely grateful that I've managed to find gainful employment- trust me. I was unemployed for several weeks before landing where I'm at now. I was going out of my mind doing nothing and not getting paid for it.
Now I'm getting paid to go crazy.

how a tension rod attacked me...

I'm "settling in" and unpacking and trying to find all my important stuff that I need for work tomorrow...

So I was putting together a tension shower shelving rod and it wouldn't stay "put together" and kept exploding all over the bathroom (it was spring loaded). At one point, I went to pick up a section of the rod and as I reached for it, I thought it was heavier than it actually was and I whacked myself with it in the forehead

now the left side of my face is throbbing and my left eyeball feels like it's gonna explode out of my head...

I could go pro at figuring out new and creative ways to hurt myself...

moving day

So I'm moved. Done.
This was the first time I've moved without a boyfriend in... four years. It's just always kind of worked out that I had some poor guy in my life to sucker into helping me move... (In the last four years, I've moved seven times)
So this time, as I was getting ready to make moving arrangements, I kind of didn't know where to start... but I rented a truck, hired a helper (who didn't show up) and moved myself. Natalie and her amazing husband Tim helped with the first half of the move, but today, I did the second half myself. MYSELF!
I discovered today that I am freakishly strong.
Freakish.
Like Monica on Friends.
But I'm not gonna lie- strong men make moving much easier... yea, it's so much easier to just stroke an ego and say "wow, you're so strong! your muscles are so big!" than to actually drag the huge wardrobe box down the stairs myself and then proceed to stuff it into a friends borrowed suv (thanks Courtney) and then drag it into my new room... yea, guys make moving easier...

but this time, I'M the one who gets to be strong.
today, I'M the one with the big guns.
and now my back is killing me.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Who wants to go che-che-check em out? They're at the Natural History museum in San Diego and I'll go either next weekend or the weekend after...
Let me know... I'm going with or without you ;)

A better blog to come about life, love and... other mysteries... when I'm not exhausted and it's not almost 3am...

love,
me

David Crowder Band

Is so fan-freaking-tabulous.

they're playing at the Anaheim House of Blues Sunday October 14- Let me know if you want to go!

much love,
Amber

let's get this party started- part 2

So if you know me you may know my friend Courtney- she's fabulous. She's so fabulous, in fact, that I moved in with her. Yes, I like her that much (I don't like very many people this much... my husband better be pretty freaking fantabulous)

So she had an interview today in the department I'm currently temp-ing in... that was a funny conversation... "hi, Courtney? this is Amber calling, not Amber your roommate, but Amber in the IT department at Vanguard University calling to see if you can come in for an interview sometime this week? How's Friday at ten? Great! see you at home for dinner!"
hahaha

her interview went okay... i still haven't gotten the 411 from my boss on how HE thought it went... we'll see.

anyways...
As courtney was walking out the door I got a call from that fabulous department I blogged about earlier this week- "hi amber? I know I said we'd try to get you in here on tuesday for a second interview, but can you come over right now?"
.......
"um... I'm in jeans and a t-shirt" (it's casual friday)
"oh that's okay, I'll tell him you looked really nice yesterday"
"Thanks."

The impromptu second interview went fine, I did, however, tell a baby fib... I'll go to confession later to for that one ;)

So I'll know by next week if I have a CAREER or just a job...

*fingers crossed*

um... awkward...

so have you ever been "set up"?? you have a time arranged for you to "meet" someone you don't know in real life- maybe you've talked on the phone or exchanged emails but you don't really "know" the person... you know them but you don't know them...
That made no sense.
Sorry.
Jeez... blogging in code is really difficult.

maybe I should have a more boring life with fewer secrets... it would certainly give me more to blog about...

one more...

Interview today at 12:30pm...
This is the mother of all job opportunities...
I'm so excited!
More info to come!


**Update**
Yup- I'm pretty much amazing and when the meeting was over they asked me to come in for a second interview early next week!
Holla!!!

Job Update

So unfortunately there was "no room at the inn" for little orphan amber... (Courtney, this is the last time I'll be able to say this... unless I manage to be laid off a third time in three months...) I did not get the job I recently bloged about.
Dry those tears, kids, the story isn't over.
Thanks to the fact that Cathi Workman is pretty much awesome... (If you don't know who she is, then you single guys out there are seriously missing out- if I was a guy, I'd date Cathi)
I now have a temp-to-hire job at Vanguard University! At the risk of sounding, I don't know, totally honest- they love me. And I love them.
It's pretty much awesome.
Just like Cathi.

man-tastic

I want to talk to the people in charge of marketing/fragrance selection/naming of the fragrances at bath and body works...
I recieved a tube of lotion as a gift from bath and body works- great gift, even better gift giver, but here's the deal: 1) it smells like a man a)wearing really good smelling cologne who's b) chewing gum and 2) it's labeled "stress relief"
Did NO ONE in their testing sessions notice this??
so now I myself smell like a man wearing really yummy smelling cologne chewing gum...
I'm more stressed out now than I was before I put it on...
Does anyone want some lotion that smells like man?

let's get this party started!

So today I had an interview for what can only be described as my dream job. (no, I did not interview in missions with Bob Bradberry for those of you who know me- I wish...)

so I arrive for my interview with my A GAME on... ready to go.. bring it on... seriously... I was in the zone...
I walk into the "interview room" and there are six people sitting around the table... all waiting to interview ME.
Um, are we in the right room?
scary...
but talk about a sink or swim moment... you either crumble or step up to the plate.
and God pretty much shoved me right up to that plate.
and even if I don't get the job, I will still praise him for being him. His faithfulness is overwhelming.
He truely is enough.
Praise Him.

wait.... what??

Have you ever had a moment where something happened that you didn't expect- a "happening" if you will, that was so out of the blue and baffling you didn't know what to say? Have you ever been in a situation that was so random, so totally speech-takingly unexpected and the only reaction you can muster is
"wait....... what?"

next thought: "oh my gosh... this is actually happening"

and then: "can I pretend this didn't just happen??"


I had one of those this week...
two actually.

Both situations were far too embarassing to post their specifics on the world wide web for everyone and their mother to read (trust me, I found out this week that everyone and their mother really does read this stuff) but suffice it to say that I'm a changed woman... and a better one for it at that.

Harry Potter part 1

At midnight tonight I'll be sitting in a movie theater in Foothill Ranch, alone, with 3,000 other lunatics (most of whom will be dressed up in robes, holding sticks (pretending they're wands) and checking out each others' "scars" which in all reality were created with eyeliner drawn on their foreheads in the shape of a lightning bolt- most likely by their mothers). and then there will be me. sitting between two strangers, wearing my jeans, rainbows and a hoodie, waiting to see Harry Potter. i will be sitting between two strangers mostly because a certain Sharon can't commit to spontaneity, and partly because I don't know anyone who actually likes Harry Potter. Chris doesn't even like it, he was just being nice but then had a panic attack when he realized that he would be out until 3am... so I revoked my invitation in an attempt to remove the source of the stress, only to incite offense at being un-invited.

alas... I want to see this movie so badly that I'm going- even if I must go by myself.
See? I CAN commit.

I'll be your Dixi Chicken if you'll be my Tennessee Lamb

I'm not picky. I'm accepting applications, invitations, proposals and any and all forms of communication.
I'm a keeper.

changing the world...

Love without courage and wisdom is sentimentality, as with the ordinary church member. Courage without love and wisdom is foolhardiness, as with the ordinary soldier. Wisdom without love and courage is cowardice, as with the ordinary intellectual. But the one who has love, courage, and wisdom moves the world.
-Ammon Hennacy (Catholic Activist 1893-1970)

My First and Former

So as this is a season of new beginnings for me (if you have no clue what I'm talking about then we obviously haven't talked recently or you don't know me well- call me, we'll have coffee and talk...God is on the move!) -I thought I'd start fresh with a new blog. I doubt anyone will care or even read my blog, but I'm fine with that. This is my place to vent, reflect and process. I'm anxious to see how everything (i.e. my life) pans out...
What's next??


I'm also using this "First post" to archive some of my older blogs from another "area" online... check back for updates...


July 5
Waking Up
i feel like i've just awakened from a bad dream. the awful kind you have the hardest time breaking out of- it's such a fight to wake up- partly because it's so real and partly because waking up for some reason seems scarier than staying asleep even though you're scared out of your mind. but once you force yourself awake and fight through the terror, everything seems brighter.



July 7, 2007
Guys... Ick!

used to be my view... now i'm not so sure. I've been around some pretty fabulous guys lately that have completely restored my faith in men (sadly most of them are married). They've deffinitely set the standard..




June 21, 2007
Getting laid off...
feels like getting the rug yanked from under you. or maybe a baseball bat to the ribcage...
Five months ago I needed a change. A new view. A change in scenery. So I applied to work in the missions department at my church. I had no idea what I was getting into- it changed my life. It was there that I met the most amazing people I've ever known in my life. I worked with fiercely strong women who loved and nurtured me. I worked with strong, passionate men who led by example and set a standard for me. They made it a high standard. These leaders saw me for who I am and for who I could be. They pushed me to be better. They encouraged me to try harder, be uncomfortable- they showed me that I'm worth the effort. They saw in me what I could not see in myself.
I discovered my passions. I found that I can do anything as long as I'm doing it for the Lord. I realized that EVERYTHING I do is for the Lord. Nothing is too big as long as I know how to ask for help. Nothing is below me, either.
This wasn't just a job. This was my life. My ministry. I genuinely thought I would work there for the rest of my life. I had found my niche, my calling. I was a part of something I believed in. God allowed me to see a glimpse into what he's doing in the world and it was exciting!
Laid off after only five months. It very much feels like a revolving door. The strangest part is that I didn't do anything wrong. It simply came down to budgets.
I will miss it intensely. But this is a journey I'm excited about. nervous and excited. and sad. it comes in waves. I'll miss my bosses and co-workers, but mostly I'll miss them because they were my friends.
But this truely is THE GREAT ADVENTURE. God has big plans and I really can't wait to see where he takes me. I know one day I'll look back and see that he brought me through this for a reason- His sovreign hand has been on my life since I became His. I know that God genuinely loves me because I am his child. I am His and he has my very best interest at heart. My best interest is to learn to trust him, to grow closer to him and depend on him for my livelyhood, my every breath.
It hurts that I lost my job, but I'm excited to see where the Lord takes me.
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be blessed." Job 1:21




April 22, 2007
Slavery and Egypt
This song has made a huge impact in my life. It is a strong reminder to me of my constant battle with myself. I often find myself discontented with my life or my surroundings, and talk myself into thinking that my current situation is worse than past situations- I talk myself into "what ifs" and "coulda-shoulda-woulda's" when in reality, my current situation is no worse than any place or time in my life. The fact of the matter is that I'm feeling uncomfortable NOW in a very different way and I think to myself- "I wish I could go back to such and such situation (that wasn't that wonderful to begin with- old jobs, roommates, etc)" when in fact the situation itself wasn't any better than what I'm dealing with now, but I was just USED to the pain and uncertainty. (not that I've been through too many terrible situations in my life, I'm just proving a point here)
I'm facing some big decisions here. All the decisions require huge changes in my life- and they don't affect just me. I'm starting to hem and haw saying "oh if I could only go back to my Egypt. the bondage and pain and denial was so much easier to handle than the truth and the fight for freedom."
Here's the thing: when you learn and grow- you can't go back. no matter how much you want to un-learn or shrink or go back and burry all that junk you dug up... but it's way better this way. the pain and discomfort is brief, but theraputic and somewhat consoling, while the pain of hidden hurts only fester.
I'm grateful that ours is a God of grace and compassion. I'm also grateful that He doesn't strike me dead when I fantasize about returning to the "familiar bondage" that he's so faithfully delivered me from.

Painting Pictures of Egypt- Sara Groves
I don't want to leave here I don't want to stay It feels like pinching to me Either way And the places I long for the most Are the places where I've been They are calling out to me Like a long lost friend It's not about losing faith It's not about trust It's all about comfortable When you move so much And the place I was wasn't perfect But I had found a way to live And it wasn't milk or honey But then neither is this I've been painting pictures of Egypt,Leaving out what it lacksbecause The future feels so hard,And I wanna go backBut the places that used to fit me,Cannot hold the things I've learnedThose roads were closed off to meWhile my back was turnedThe past is so tangible I know it by heart Familiar things are never easy To discard I was dying for some freedom But now I hesitate to go I am caught between the Promise And the things I know I've been painting pictures of Egypt,Leaving out what it lacksThe future feels so hard,And I wanna go backBut the places that used to fit me,Cannot hold the things I've learnedThose roads were closed off to meWhile my back was turnedIf it comes too quick I may not appreciate it Is that the reason behind all this time and sand? And if it comes to quick I may not recognize it Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?



October 21, 2006
The King's Daughter
so i totally jacked this off a very special friend's myspace. i just love it so much and wanted to share!

The King's Daughter: Becoming the Woman God Created You to Be by Diana Hagee

When I created the heavens and earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils were too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.
Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.
Around this one bone I shaped you. I molded you. I crated you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rub- strong, yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man: his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life.
The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel. You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtue in your heart. Your eyes- don't change them, Your lips- how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands, so gentle to touch. I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep; I've held your heart close to Mine.
Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like Me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, and yet he was lonely. He could not see Me or touch Me. He could only feel Me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with Me, I fashioned in you: My holiness, My strength, My purity, My love, My protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of Me. Man represents My image. Woman, My emotions. Together you represent the totality of God.
So Man, treat Woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt Me. What you do to her, you do to Me. In crushing her, you damage your own heart, the heart of your Father and the heart of her Father.
Woman, support Man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness, show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.