Mo'Nique

Brought the book home and Robin read it, don't know if Rubes even wants to but left it there. What'd ya think Wobby-Wob-Wob? Not an award winner, but OK, is my rating. Not a complete waste of life in reading, but not worth reading twicer really.

Hmmm, still really tired.

Flying

What happened to the friendly skies? Is that Delta? United? Perhaps I should start paying extra to fly them. I'm now disillusioned with not only NWA but also AA. The flight home went so smoothly, the flight back however was anything but smooth.

There was a 3 hour delay leaving Wichita due to "flow" problems at Chicago O'Hare (my connection). ***sidenote that prior to NWA bankruptcy this fall I flew them in a non-stop flight, still not smooth but at least if stranded it would be at my place or my folks*** I was assured that I would still make the flight that had been rebooked for me since I'd already missed my first connection. I did not. The plane was still hooked up to the jetway, but they would not let the three of us from my plane onto the plane. I was not compensated by anything but a lousey 1/2 price offer at a hotel for the night. I made a call and could get nothing better, in fact worse -- a $25 voucher. That doesn't even pay for the airport taxes! For crying out loud!

I 'slept' in the airport, finished reading a book Rubes loaned me (which was really good by the way, would read again when not as exhausted, for instance, have no idea at this point what the title even is), toured a bit and got a sore butt sitting on the hard chairs made specifically so that folks can't lie down. Dirty Rotten Scoundrals!

I then paid too much for airport food for the second time (first in Wichita which was awful!) Slept all the way back north, had my dear friend Dawn pick me up at 8:30 am on her day off and headed to my place. I did a quick freshen up and headed back out the door to get to work, wearing jeans because, while I did finally make it back to the Frozen Tundra, my luggage apparently enjoyed Chi-town and decided to stay. It should be delivered to my place sometime tonight betwee 6:30 and 10. What the hell is that?! It's a 20 minute drive. I'm really too tired to care or fight anymore. I just about cried when I realiezed I had no luggage. In fact, when the gal told me it wouldn't get in until sometime after 11 this morning at the earliest I gave her a double thumbs up and said with my voice dripping with sarcasm, "SUPER, JUST SUPER!"

I don't know that I can make it until 5:30 ongiht but that is my goal. Need the $.

Decided not to spell-check this oen, just don't care, think it's getting worse as I go though. Need to go to the RR and then find more caffeine. Haven't had a terrible lot today actually. Had a med. Chai at Starbucks near my departure gate this morning around 5, yup, 5 freakin' A.M. then had part of a Caribou chai, didn't like it though and had part of a bottle of water and one of those tiny cans of Coca-Cola! Those little cans are so cute, ya kno.

Might be getting delierious. Shoudl probably start my body movign to help the circutlation to my brain.

You are all my heros. NEVER FLY AMERICAN! NWA isn't my choice either, by the way. If only SWA flew up here. I love them madn. Have applied several times to no avail. Don't know that I wan to be a flight attnedant, but ant the free travel!

Love to you all!

Single in Christ

I had an entry a bit ago about Christian singles. I have been to the site recently and have seen some interesting conversation. Please feel free to stop by again or for a first time if you haven't yet.

Travel Humor

As you may remember, I have applied to teach English in Japan. I won't even know if I get an interview with this program until Feb. Anyway . . . I found this website from a friend. Having been to Japan twice as well as a few other non-native-English speaking countries, I have seen several things like what is on this site. It is funny and yet a strong reminder that translations are not always clear and you cannot take anything for granted while dealing with other languages and cultures.

Latest read

Last night I read a book by Mo'Nique.

It wasn't quite what I was expecting but not bad. Here's a god-fearin', cussin', lovin' woman who does everything in a BIG way. The book is about how BIG is beautiful and there shouldn't be any shame in the way we look and feel.

She goes through the whole book putting any sort of FLUFFY, BIG or PLUMP word in all caps to emphasize that BIG is OK and good.

It's a story of Mo'Nique's life and how she has lived with skinny friends, some of whom are evil twits and some of whom are cool chicks. She talks about keepin' it real and not being afraid to call people on the carpet. Mo'Nique is indeed real throughout the book and sheds light about not shedding pounds. Eat what you want, when you want, but don't be a glutton is something she also adds.

She's sharp, witty and indeed real.

It was intriguing and while not a book I will probably read numerous times, it stuck with me more than I thought that it might. The link is from the Library of Congress and is part of the book. Read it and if you wanna borrow the book, let me know.

cute

There is enough here to make you oooo & ahhh all night and day or gag because it's all too cute.

Being Single in Christ?

I found this piece on a blog I drop by occassionally. Love to hear thoughts.

12/15/05
Posted By: Wendell
The average age for brides and grooms continues creep higher throughout the developed world. We are seeing this in our own extended family as two nephews recently married in their early thirties and three more are single approaching thirty with no marriage plans that we know of.
Listen to the responses you get when you ask older singles the reason they aren’t married:
1. "I have to wait until I get school debt paid off and have reached a level of financial independence."
2. "I have seen too many lousy marriages (starting with their parents) and I am not sure I want to live with that amount of pain."
3. "My girlfriend is fine with cohabitation. I get the sex without the commitment, so why marry."
4. "I am still waiting for God to show me the right guy/girl."
[More:]
Let’s look at some of the problems that Christian singles create for themselves by procrastination:
Creation of a selfish, me-first attitude after extended years of having it your way. By avoiding marriage, we are missing out on one of God’s best tools for sanctification. Marital adjustment can be much harder for older singles after many years of not needing to share and compromise.
Pushing the envelop with our biological clocks. I have a nephew currently in the throes of IVF (in vitro fertilization) at a fertility clinic. They are in their mid-30s . Experts will tell you that early 20s are prime time fertility and it is rapidly downhill by the late 20s.
There is less need to trust God in all aspects of your life if you both have it financially wired before marriage.
Delays by each subsequent generation are causing 4 common familial problems: More problems with parenting roles as both partners are well entrenched in jobs and are not willing to take extended leave for parenting; 50 year olds enduring the physical and emotional stress of parenting teens; pensioners with kids still in college; feeble, unengaged grandparents in their 70s when grandkids come along.
Finally we need to remember the command we have to be fruitful and multiply. We need to be entering marriage early enough to allow that to happen. And finally, to take seriously our roles as parents and disciplers of God’s gifts to us!
He who finds a wife, finds a good thing and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22

It's true

Well, this is an odd site with 'interesting' quizes. They appear to be a bit long, but now I can be a part of the quizzies.

You scored as extreamly weird. your about as weird as gir. that says alot... extreamly weird 47% mental 25% really weird 25% super weird 16% weird 9% HOW FREAKIN WEIRD ARE YOU!? created with QuizFarm.com

OK, my turn to add a quiz

You scored as Sleeping Beauty. Your alter ego is Princess Aurora, a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty! You are beautiful and enchanting, and as sweet as ever. Sleeping Beauty 88% Donald Duck 75% Pinocchio 63% Goofy 63% Cinderella 56% Peter Pan 50% The Beast 44% Cruella De Ville 31% Ariel 31% Snow White 25% Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com

It's a long quiz and not the best, but here ya go. Don't know that I'm really a sleeping beauty, well, Of course the beauty part is true and I do enjoy a good sleep, but...

Remember when?

Let's try this, borrowed from The Radio Jedi (link on side bar).

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me. It can be anything you want—good or bad—BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you.

Another one

I received yet another email today with a new version of the same game. Enjoy!? The numbers don't line up because I deleted some questions that don't really fit a blog format.

1. What is your occupation? Trauma Unit Coordinator/graduate student

2. What color is your underwear? red satin

3. What are you listening to right now? docs talking over cases, ice machine, RNs talking, carts and pumps rolling

4. What was the last thing you ate? just had a few pretzels and then burned my tounge on my fresh cup of candy apple tea

5. Do you wish on stars? not anymore

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? emerald green

7. How is the weather right now? still snowing, third day in a row

8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Kevin, one of our Hanger reps, his British and had a great accent!

10. How old are you today? 32, When the heck did that happen?

11. Favorite drink? hmmmm, enjoyed a few ballini's the other night, yummy

12. Favorite sport to watch? baseball

13. Have you ever dyed your hair? never

14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? blind as a bat without my glasses

15. Pets? dust bunnies and beanie babies

17. Favorite food? Something someone else has made and paid for and cleaned up.

18. What was the last movie you watched? Saw The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe last night. Great flick, you should all go.

19. Favorite day of the year? any day I get to sleep late

20. Fall or Spring? spring

21. Hugs or kisses? Both

22. Cherry or Blueberry? strawberry

26. Who do you live with? my previously mentioned 'pets'

27. When was the last time you cried? last night at the movie, I admit it, OK

28. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes, clothes (short closet), boxes

29. Who is the friend you have had the longest? KJ Pittman Irwin

30. What did you do last night? went to the Mall of America, ate at Famous Dave's with Marty & Jeff and then off to the aforementioned movie. Afterwards we dined at the IHOP, then home for bed and a little light reading of TIME.

31. Favorite smell? too many from which to choose. Love mountains after the rain.

32. What inspires you? courage

33. What are you afraid of? spiders, I know, I know, but I am

34. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? spicy cheese

35. Favorite car? Chevy Silverado

36. Favorite dog breed? hmmm, no fav here

37. Number of keys on your key ring? 6? (notice they don't ask how many key rings?)

38. How many years at your current job? argh, too many = 2

39. Favorite day of the week? Sunday

40. How many states have you lived in? KS, OK, TN, MO, MN = 5

interview

How fun is this one...

Yesterday afternoon I had a phone interview to drive the Hershey's Kissmobile! How fun! I can hardly wait. Should here after the first of the year and I'm so excited! The interview was twice as long as the one in Liberal and would be so cool!

BTW: plan to call Casey in Liberal tomorrow or Monday to let him know that I'll be in town over the holiday incase they are doing second interviews or anything. Who knows.

Oh, also decided not to sell CM at this point. Someday, someday...

If...

If I move back to L-town, I want to...

a. take espanol lessons to brush up my 3 years of high school and 1 year of college, never used Spanish verbage

b. take kick-boxing with Rubes. that way I have someone to help get me off the floor when I about die from pain

c. get a massage at least everyother week if not every week. hey, I'll need it after kick-boxing

d. bond with the fam by scrapping more (mom, Rubes, AJanet - she could make cards, and AKathy and Kara), sewing more (Rubes and AJanet) and cooking more Mexican food (Connie). One can never have too much Mexican food.

e. get to the point where I can be the Queen of Pancake Day forever.

f. go to the cabin more often, at least 3 times a year, with family and friends

g. buy a full-sized beautiful truck

Some of those things I really want to happen anyway, but they just make more sense if you start in L-town.

thesis

I emailed everything to two of the committee members on Sat around noon. I heard nothing. I called and emailed yesterday. My advisor sent an email this today saying that due to undergrad finals and grading neither of them owuld look at my thesis until Fri. I responded thank you and I'll be in KS for Christmas, but shoudl have email. Good grief! Will it ever end? So much for a merry Christmas to me with a finished thesis.

Insert biggest sigh ever heard here.

excercise

I'm not a fan of excercise, but I know that I have a lot of energy to burn and it's too cold and icy to get out and about outside so I decided to do a little something for me. I don't have the available funds to join a gym and that's not really my preference anyway. I live in a apt. with no TV so a video is out. SOOOOO... I decided to buy a little kit to teach me how to bellydance. It's supposed to be great excercise and lots of fun. Who knows? Maybe some day I want to (and have someone that I want to) show my belly to someone. heeheehee

It even came with finger cymbals!

I'm back

I'm back from my mini-vacation. I dropped Shari off at the airport this afternoon and headed back to work. Still no word on my thesis. ARGH! I'm pooped. We had massages before the airport and they rocked! I'm ready to go home, put away some dishes and go to bed, I think. Lots of fun! I hvae not enough brain power to write anything more.

That's LADY Amy to you

That's right. I am a Lady of the Realm. Not just any realm either. I am an official (or will be shortly) Lady of Sealand. As I was driving home late last night after being kicked out of my study room on campus, I heard an interesting report of a young country off the coast of Britian.

Laura has been trying to get me to go to Enland with her for years. Now I just might have to so that I can visit my land.

I'm a freak, I know, but I love it! I also bought a ladiship for TX Laura. I can write this becasue she's never here anyway. This is going to be the best birthday present ever for her!

DISTURBING!

OK, so have not a clue what's going on here but I'll try again.

Check out this site. I can't believe that it's really true, but it frightens me. Any one know anything. I'm just sick this is so wrong.

There is something that will not allow me to post it as a link here, really wierd. Just cut and paste. sick

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/

quick update

Just emailed everything revised through ch. 3 and the bib. Took way too long and now I'm blogging about it instead of bustin' my butt with ch. 4. But in honesty, it sorta scares me and that's why I hesitate. Please pray for me. I'm off again! BTW -- Ch. 4 is the analysis of the novel, Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, which you all should read. So moving, you'll cry.

wounded

I was carrying my giant bag that I call a purse loaded down with things as well as my laptop. Now the laptop bag itself weighs as much or more than the laptop and I have at least 4 books in it as well as the computer. As I was semi-struggling on the elevator, a women mentioned that her son had permanant nerve damage from carrying so much weight during school. Wow.

If you are going back to school...get a bag on wheels!

Or some sexy burleyman to carry all your stuff for you.

Daily thesis update

Wrote last night at home and the school. Didn't get everything done that I hoped. Almost finished with the revisions of Ch. 1-3, the easiest part of the ordeal for sure. After I finish that tonight and email it off, I'll hit Ch. 4 and ideally will finish it tonight. I won't realistically be able to finish it I don't think, but will give it my damnedest. Hope to get all revisions and rewrites and new writes done before Shari gets her early Sat. afternoon. Then have weekend off while advisor reads and hopefully defend next week?

Thank you for your prayers for focus, alertness, clarity of thought, creativity and little crabbiness with my little sleep.

RACE

When in a hospital setting, always remember to run the RACE.

R - Rescue
A - Alert
C - Confine
E - Evacuate

I don't know what this really has to do with life or if I have enough energy or care enough to come up with some brilliant parallel, but there it is nonetheless.

We have JCAHO (something like that) here this week at the hospital. They are the governing board of hospitals, like the NCA for colleges & universities. Tell me when we're having fun.

By the way, the number 1 way to fight infection is TO WASH YOUR HANDS! Remember those stickers from grade school that were on the bathroom mirrors? "Wash your hands, drown a germ."

Really, I'm just a bit bored and more than a bit tired and I wanted to post about something, so here ya go. Think I'll run spell check now. Only had 1 misspelled word, now it's fixed. Technology is pretty good sometimes, but do we rely on it too much? yup.

The L-town interview

OK, so it was only 15 mintues long and a bit awkward. Like they didn't really want to interview me or didn't know what they were doing. They also aren't offering close to the salary that I would like to have or need. Not really sure. I'm OK either way, I think the fam will be more bummed if I don't go than I will.

More thesis crap

Well, met with my advisor on Monday (my birthay -- fun, fun) and it could've gone better and worse. Ch. 5 is crap and has to be rewritten completely and ch. 4 I think is salvagable. So I interviewed last night (not sure what to think about that one) and then worked through the reading of the two copies I have from my readers, changing things based on most of their comments. Tonight I hti the library to hopefully finish redoing in depth everything through Ch. 3 and start Ch. 4 and then turn that one in Thurs night and then 5 on Fri. Shari is coming Sat - Tues and i really don't want to do anything while she's here. Good grief! I still have to do laundry, dishes and clean for her visit! Yikes! Not much sleep for me, but at the same time I have to not be too tired so that I'm not cranky and bitchy to my dear friend while she's here!

So much to do... By the way, learned that there should be spaces between the dots in an elipse . . . Now you too could write a master's thesis.

When is yours?

When is your birthday and what is one of your favorite gifts that you've ever received? My birthday was yesterday (in case you did not read yesterday's post) and one of my fav gifts was this year from Ruby.

Postal stamps with MY PICTURE ON THEM! How fun is that! Love 'em!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

It's my birthday! Yes, I am 32, no turning back, I'm an adult. Oh, well, that means I can have an adult beverage to celebrate, right! Tequila anyone?

Places I've applied.

These are some of the locals I've applied for jobs throughout the world:

Japan, that's right, across the sea -- to teach English, won't know anything until at least Feb.

L-town, can't believe it, but it's true. Have a phone interview Tues at 6:30pm.

Plano (Dallas) TX, warmer weather, praise the Lord! Haven't heard a word.

Can't remember anything else. Know there are others, but things begin to blur together, ya know.

Some mornings...

your just havin' a fat day.

MAN...I'M GETTING SO FAT I CAN HARDLY SCRATCH MY OWN BUTT!!

what about you?

Alright, I've decided to put this sort of stuff on my bloggitty blog and just refer all those who email it to me to this loverly site. Feel free to cut and paste and add your own answers to your blog.


1. WHAT COLOR ARE YOUR KITCHEN PLATES? mix & match Green from my mom; haven't pulled out the Christmas china -- Johnson Brother's Friendly Village
2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? What am I not? The World is Flat, Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, something by Gwen Shamblin, Sweat the Small Stuff by Bruce & Stan and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
3. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? DELL, boring, I'm at work
4. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BOARD GAME? I love games! Has to be Catch Phrase
5. FAVORITE SMELL? the cinamon-y holiday smell...or a great smelling guy, remember one of my favorite boys used to wear Drakkar.
6. LEAST FAVORITE SMELL? Any number of the nasty things from working here at the hospital.
7. FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN T HE MORNING & GET OUT OF BED? Thank you God for another morning and my goodness it's chilly once I'm not under my giant pile of blankets.
8. FAVORITE COLOR(S)? green
9. LEAST FAVORITE COLOR? pink
10. HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE? depends on who is calling, caller-ID has changed my world there.
11. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? many options, love Braden for a boy or girl, use the nickname Brady
12. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN MY LIFE? Somedays I just don't know. I should say Jesus and that is true often, but other days I let life get ahold of me and run.
13. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? Chocolate, hands down.
14. DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE FAST? ummm, ya.
15. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? not anymore
16. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY? no thank you, prefer the bright and shiney or somewhat dreary or lightly snowy day
17. WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? 1976 Ford LTD, giant of all vehicles
18. IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE WHO WOULD IT BE? Audrey Hepburn, why not
19. FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK? Might have to go with a well-made emorita, smooth glass of red wine or the MOJITO
20. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? 12-5
21. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI ? Yes, mostly
22. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB WHAT WOULD IT BE? a world traveler and philanthropist
23. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY COLOR HAIR WHAT WOULD IT BE? my hair color when I was a bit younger.
24. IS THE GLASS HALF FULL OR HALF-EMPTY? typically half full, unless I'm having a bad day
25. FAVORITE MOVIES? When Harry Met Sally, Cinema Paradiso and far too many more
26. DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS? yes
27. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED? all sorts of treasures: luggage, purses, old t-shirts that I want made into a quilt, gift wrap stuff, wardrobe boxes, dust bunnies...
28. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER? 4
29. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE / SCARY THING? well, last night is was the live mouse I saw scamper across the floor of the store where I was visiting with a friend while enjoying a cup of cocoa.
30. FAVORITE CD? Right now? Katina's Christmas CD -- love it!
31. FAVORITE TV SHOW? TV? I don't have a clue -- no TV.
32. KETCHUP OR MUSTARD? I like them both
33. HAMBURGERS OR HOT DOG? I like them both but hot dogs really are better with chili, cheese and onions.
34. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? There's nothing like having the good Dr. around, particularly at 10, 2 & 4.
35. THE BEST PLACE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN? too many options, the Grand Canyon?
36. WHAT WALLPAPER IS ON YOUR COMPUTER RIGHT NOW? A picture of my sisters and I at Camp Snoopy this past May. Too fun!

Addictions

I have successfully succeeded in passing along two of my addictions to my friends. Fortunately they aren't rehab-worthy, but full of joy -- I promise!

Those addictions are scrapbooking and tea. I clinched the tea deal with Chris last night when I took her to the Tea Source for sample night. It was so fun! We tried oolongs, which I have decided are not for me. We then tried a pot of the Almond Brittle, not as good as The SpecialTea's Almond Cookie (which is amazing with some milk and sugar!) and a pot of a new herbal, Lazy Susan, which was great!

Time to go home, maybe make some soup and then have a nice cup of herbal tea (so as not to keep me up) and do some reading. Still deciding if that will be for fun or serious. hmmm. Decisions, decisions...

Soup's On!

I'm really into soup lately, which is good since winter has definately arrived here in the Frozen Tundra. Having friends over for a nice bowl of soup, conversation, games, maybe some wine or tea, nothing beats it on a cold night. (OK, so there are things that beat it, but let me have this.)

So far we've had Tastefully Simples' cheesy broccoli with sausage, potato & bacon and this week we're going to try a corn chowder (which if I remember correctly, has potato and cheese, how bad can it be?) and some baked acorn squash that looks tastey. We'll see.

Wild rice soup and some new, as well as tried and true, chili are in order soon.

I'm tired of having all of these recipies and not using them. Printed off a bunch of hot choc. recipies lately and can't wait to try those as well as enjoy all of my tea with friends. Yea!

Are you normal?

So, my friend, Chris, was telling me about this odd little quiz and so I had her email it to me. Unfortunately, my work will not allow me access to the site, so you all get to see how normal you are and just let me know. Can't wait to see if you are all as abnormal as I think you just might be.