Friday Fun Fact

There is a town called “Jersey Shore” in Pennsylvania.

Friday Fun Fact

Snapple helped fund the creation of the C.H.A.M.P.S. Sports & Fitness Program, benefiting more than 15,000 NYC Public School Middle Students.

True Story

My Parents receive a magazine called The Covenant Companion I happened to pick it up and flip through the magazine, sometimes there is an article that really catches my attention. And exactly that happened an article really caught my attention. The piece is called "Daring to Believe", written by Krista Brumberg Stevens. I want to share the key points that Stevens has made very clear.

"Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than going to McDonald's makes you a hamburger."...
...Going to church doesn't make us Christian; it makes us more aware of our humanity by reminding us of a God who became human. Life in all its fragility can be simultaneously tragic and comedic. Knowing death is right around the corner, constantly, for all of us, only adds depth and nuance to it all. How foolish we are. How noble. How sad. How wonderful. How alone. How together.
We go to church to find a hand to hold or to hold ours and to be reminded that God holds us all. hold fast, dear ones, and when you can't, rest assured God is still holding your hand as firmly as you need.


This article made me think about how society has made Christianity something that it's not.

Whether you are Christian or not what are your thoughts on this?

Friday Fun Fact

The first Ferris wheel was built in Atlantic City in 1869.

Friday Fun Fact

Emus and kangaroos cannot walk backward.

Friday Fun Fact

A queen bee can lay 800-1,500 eggs per day.

Friday Fun Fact

Vultures can fly for six hours without flapping their wings.

WOOT WOOT!

My room is officially painted and rearranged! I absolutely love it! There are a few details that need to be completed before I will post pictures, but I promise you that it is worth the wait!

Friday Fun Fact

Alaska has the highest percentage of people that walk to work.

Paint

Since the beginning of time... OK well maybe not that long but ever since I moved into Courtney's old room my Senior yr of high school I have been begging to repaint it and make it my own...

After many years of failed attempts I was finally given the go ahead by my parents on Monday to paint my room now that I'm on summer break and the roof is fixed and whatever over reasons my mom and dad kept saying to wait for...

What colors am I going to paint my room?

A rosie red (it's kind of pinkish) and a light brown. The red paint is going to be on one wall and it's the wall with the door so it's kind of a focal point in the room... The brown will be on the other 2 walls/ceiling (my ceiling is curved so it would be hard to have it painted it's own color, and you're probably wondering why I said "the 2 other walls" my 4th wall is actual wood paneling)

OK, so now you're wondering what else I'm going to do to my room. I might be staining the wood paneling to a darker brown right now it's that really light wood color...

Rearranging is a must though I'm going to try a few new things out see how I like it and ya...

I'm sure there will be pictures of the whole process so sit tight and hopefully by the middle of next week it will all be done and you will get the first look.

Remember how I mentioned giving my testimony at church a few Sunday mornings ago?

I still can't believe I did it.

I surprisingly was not the least bit nervous... (I always get nervous when speaking in front of large crowds... microphones scare me, (all last summer every Sunday we would have to introduce ourselves in front of more than the whole camp because parents, grandparents, siblings were all there too, I would become very, very nervous after lunch before campers and families arrived) my voice gets all shaky which makes me more nervous and then I get choked up because it's not going the way I wished it had) I got ready for church, making sure to eat breakfast... nothing is worse than being hungry in church time seems to slow down and you just pay more attention to the grumbling of your tummy than to the sermon and message God intends for you to hear.

Anyways, my parents and I arrive at church (the whole across the street walk we have seemed like nothing and out of a natural habit) we were greeted and found seats I insisted on sitting closest to the aisle. I then proceeded to read the church bulletin (it has an outline for the service) my name was four lines down (definitely did not expect to see my name that close to the top of the page). That is when I thought, "What did I get myself into?". We heard the announcements, sang 1 song, prayed, (right about now I was shaking my nerves were catching up to me) Scripture was read...

I was introduced to the congregation...

As I walked up the steps to the pulpit, I was more than nervous, all eyes were on me!

"Good morning" I started out listening to my own voice shake. "I was asked to share my life story, but as you all have watched me grow up and have guided me in my walk with Christ; I decided to share with you my journey." By this time I think I got teary eyed from being nervous, I'm such a girl!
"In high school I felt a calling into the ministries from God, I've always been good with the youth so it just stuck as where God wants me to be in the future. I got very involved by volunteering with the youth programs at church. That was just the beginning of God's plan for me. I became the Youth Intern for Janelle awhile after I started college. I was her intern for a little over a year. I felt God calling me to do greater things outside of the church, so I applied and got the position to be a counselor at a Christian Camp called Frontier Ranch, I grew as the campers asked questions, I witnessed hundreds of youth accepting Christ in their hearts, and helped teach them ways to use their newly founded relationship with Christ outside of camp, and how to grow and build on that relationship. While at camp I discovered that Azusa Pacific University had accepted my application to attend in the fall. While I was attending APU I was given many obstacles and seemed like I was at a disadvantage. It was probably the best thing that God could do for me because, I had never relied in God as much as I did in that semester at Azusa. Jeremiah 29:12-14 says 'In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you, says the Lord. i will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.' I wound up finding my way back home and only God knows why. I chose not to take a semester off and get back to my academics so I registered for a few classes at Merced College. Currently I have been helping with the high school youth group. I will be assisting or co-directing Fun In The Son. In my future I hope to graduate with my associate's in psychology, transfer to a state college (which ever one will have me) to get my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, after that I plan on getting my Masters of Divinity. Who knows I may be back, standing behind this pulpit giving the sermon one day."

Gary Indiana

Ok well maybe not... My best friend since 4th grade was in California this past week to celebrate her 21st and to show a friend around some northern seen and unseen parts of California. I got to see her briefly during her visit home. I really wish I could have done more with her but it just happened to be my finals week... ugh! Tomorrow she and her friend are flying back to Indiana (where they go to school). She will be graduating a semester early and moving back home before Christmas! It's great news for me since I'll still be home finishing up at Merced College. So today I said "goodbye and see you in 6 months!"

Now, how much do you think a one way plane ticket would cost to go to Indiana in December?....

Friday Fun Fact

Only male turkeys gobble.

School's almost done. As of today at approximately 8pm I will officially be on summer break!!! Can you tell that I'm excited? I think it's more so that I'm co-directing the kids summer program at church, helping out with the high school group at church, going to LA for my cousins wedding, guest counseling at Frontier Ranch, and trying to visit as many friends as possible while on break... I'm stoked to be done with school for the semester... if you couldn't tell. I also get to start my break off by getting my hair cut... nothing to drastic I'm growing my hair out well I'm trying to let it get longer.... if my impulses don't intervene then my hair will be long in no time at all.... just a trim is all I want, I love the feeling of freshly cut hair its all smooth and soft and straight and not dead looking...

I have a few blogs in the making stay tuned to find out what is in store!

Brain fart... I have the day "off" but there's too much to do! I'm speaking at church on Sunday. I've been asked to share my story of what God has been doing in my life. So where do I start?! Should I talk about the last year or like my WHOLE life story? I'm completely stumped, I've been praying about it since I was asked on Saturday on what the message God is wanting me to portray. I need a few ideas so if you have a suggestion please leave a comment!

I can't travel without my pillow

Swim Suit
you never know even if it's December...

Pillow
I'll use my own thanks!

toothbrush/ toothpaste
Really I have to explain the dragon like breath I have when I wake up in the morning?

iPod
I need something to keep me from losing my mind...

Purse
It has all the everyday necessities in it.

etc
I always seem to over pack because I have to have my options

Busy, busy, busy... my life is almost non-stop. Here is a little heads up (my schedule for the month of May)

May

12-- Turn in HW #9 and take test on Powerpoint
13-- Turn in paper on presentation (5 pgs). Take notes Ch. 14
14-- Courtney's Birthday
Jazz concert paper due (3 pgs)
ALL late work due in computer applications
Journals due in English lab
15-- Dinner at BJ's for Courtney's Birthday
16-- Watch Wizard of OZ
Brianna's Birthday/Party
17-- Speaking at church (pray for me)
Youth Group leader meeting @4pm
Youth Group @ 6:30pm
19-- Last week of LAB!!!
English research paper due
20-- Take notes Ch. 15. Review for FINAL
21-- Jazz FINAL
Last day of LAB
Portfolio due Computer Applications
22-- Catering?
23-- Abby comes home!!!
Catering
24-- Kari's Birthday
Catering?
Last Youth Group for the school year
25-- Abby's Birthday
STUDY FOR FINALS
26-- Political Science FINAL 9-10:50am
Sell books back!!! :)
27-- Study Group 5:30pm (library?)
Psychology FINAL 7pm
28-- English FINAL 3-4:50pm
Computer Applications FINAL 6:30pm
29-- Relax
Go to Monterey Bay Aquarium?
30-- Abby leaves :(
Michelle's Gradutaion Party :)

I will need lots and lots of prayer to get through this month!

I was reading my wikihow to of the day sometime last week and somewhere in the perusing around I stumbled upon some cool how to's for your boring old T-shirts.
Now these t-shirt makeover's gave me an itching to make something out of those freebie shirts that you wear to workout, sleep, paint, or whatever else you do with your old shirts.
I started to dig around found a shirt that my mom bought for some crafty thing that she never got around to making and now bedazzling isn't as cool to be flaunting around... anyways I learned and have been making a few alterations and taking notes on making sun dresses out of t-shirts. I'm almost done with my example/practice dress and it looks really cute it doesn't quiet fit me because the shirt I used would fit me perfectly as a shirt but is quite skimpy when I tried it on...

...maybe I shouldn't have had the "BIGGEST" piece of ice cream cake last night...

I'm thinking about making more and selling them for a small wage.
I'm sorry that I am definitely NOT a model, I don't have a mannequin or a model that can fit this dress, I'm working on one that will fit me for sure!!!

You entered: Kaitlin Elizabeth Montague

There are 24 letters in your name.
Those 24 letters total to 107
There are 11 vowels and 13 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:

Irish	Female	Modern phonetic form of the Irish name Caitlin from Catherine meaning pure.
Greek	Female	Variant of Katherine. Pure.

Your number is: 8

The characteristics of #8 are: Practical endeavors, status oriented, power-seeking, high-material goals.

The expression or destiny for #8:
Your Expression is represented by the number 8. The 8 Expression is well-equipped in a managerial sense. You have outstanding organizational and administrative capabilities. You have the potential for considerable achievement in business or other powerful positions. You can expect to receive the financial and material rewards. You have the skill and abilities to establish or operate a business with great efficiency. You have good judgment when it comes to money and commercial matters, and you understand how to build and accumulate material wealth. Much of your success (or lack of it) may come due to your ability (or inability) to judge character. With the number 8 Expression, you exercise sound judgment in most of your affairs; you are realistic and practical in your approach to business matters.

The positive 8 Expression produces individuals that are very ambitious and goal-oriented. If the 8 energy is not in excess in your makeup, you will no doubt express these traits to some extent. No one has any more energy that a person with the 8 Expression who has a plan laid and is starting to work. No one has any more self-confidence, either. If you are expressing the positive qualities of 8, you are an outstanding manager because you can plan, initiate, and complete projects; you are very dependable and determined.

As it always happens, there can be too much of a good thing. If you have too much of the 8 energy in your makeup, you may express some of the negative attitudes. A negative 8 can be very rigid and stubborn. Ambition sometimes has a way of becoming over-ambition, and you may express an unreasonable impatience with the lack of progress. If your negative side is showing, you may be too exacting, both of yourself and of others. Sometimes this can even becomes a case of intolerance.

The number 8 is very materialistic and also very desirous of status and power. Neither of these drives are inherently negative unless they are taken to an extreme. You must avoid the tendency to strain after money, material matters, status, or power, to the detriment of the other important factors in your life.

Your Soul Urge number is: 9

A Soul Urge number of 9 means:
With a 9 Soul Urge, you want to give to others, usually in a humanitarian or philanthropic manner. You are highly motivated to give friendship, affection and love. And you are generous in giving of your knowledge and experience. You have very sharing urges, and you are likely to have a great deal to share. Your concern for others makes you a very sympathetic and generous person with a sensitive and compassionate nature.

You are able to view life in very broad and intuitive terms. You often express high ideals and an inspirational approach to life. If you are able to fully realize the potential of your motivation, you will be a very self-sacrificing person who is able to give freely without being concerned about any return or reward.

As with all human beings, you are prone to sometimes express the negative attitudes inherent to your Soul Urges. You may become too sensitive and tend to express emotions strongly at times. There can be significant conflict between higher aims and personal ambitions. You may resent the idea of giving all of the time and, in fact, if there is too much 9 energy in your nature you may reject the idea. You may often be disappointed in the lack of perfection in yourself and others.

Your Inner Dream number is: 8

An Inner Dream number of 8 means:
You dream of success in the business or political world, of power and control of large material endeavors. You crave authority and recognition of executive skills. Your secret self may have very strong desire to become an entrepreneur.

http://www.paulsadowski.com

For the last few weeks I decided that I would "step out of the boat" meaning trust in God while I go out and serve where ever he leads me. Right now my church is going through a lot of reconstruction... no not fixing the exterior of the church--the buildings-- we are fixing the interior of the church--the people. Learning and reconfiguring what the congregation needs, to be fed by the Holy Spirit and how to draw more to come into our church family. I received an e-mail from one of our pastors:
"I encouraged the church to think about how they smell to those that don't know Jesus. Are they sweet smelling and giving off an exquisite fragrance? I like Star Jasmine and go to my garden to smell it every day. I can't help it. For those of us that follow Jesus, do we have people that do not know Jesus that are lining up every day to "catch a wiff" of us? For those "on the way of salvation" do we give off "an aroma redolent with life?" These are good questions and ones that should make us pause."

I really enjoyed receiving this message, it really made me think about how I am perceived as a Christian.

This is an excerpt from an e-mail written by the same pastor:
"When I asked you to pray about being the "aroma of Christ" it seems the Lord is giving us a picture to that from what happened yesterday. If we want to see people come to faith, then scratching them where they itch (common values or points of agreement), we will be able to live the gospel in our community in a way that will draw people to Christ."

Because of all the redirecting of our church, there was a congregational prayer meeting on Monday. Of all the people from the congregation that showed up I was the only one under the aged of 44; with that being said and out of the way, the gathering went well. We prayed and prayed and prayed... OK so you get the idea... but what was said in the prayer and how God moved through us and spoke through us is what mattered. At one point in prayer
Jeremiah 29:11 was laid on my heart to recite and as I recited my favorite verse I felt the Lord's presence lift the weight of the shoulders of the church. What an awesome feeling!

Just yesterday as I was in class my professor wrote a quote up on the board that struck me

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the staircase"

--Martin Luther King Jr.

I need to get back into blogging.

I just don't know where to start, so I'm going to talk about these really cool 80s T-shirt tie back thingies. I was going through everything in my room recently and came across these t-shirt ties and was inspired by the 80s to early 90s with the baggy shirts cinched by this little plastic buckle thing. I have them in different shapes (mostly hearts and circles) and colors (all neon mind you). If I was brave enough I would wear one tomorrow, anybody know of an 80s themed party coming up if so you should borrow them you would be the coolest thing since Cyndi Lauper! FYI self portraits do not do justice for this amazing little contraption, therefore, someday when I decide to be decked out in the 80s I will make sure to post a picture of it.

The Contents of My Purse

car keys
I'll forget them otherwise

chap stick
I never leave home without chap stick, I keep a tube of it everywhere, it's in my backpack, car, and on my desk.

wallet
Why wouldn't it be? It carries a lot important necessities.

hair ties
I can never find one when I need one the most so, there are several that float around on the bottom of my purse just for those days.

day planner
Seriously, I would lose my head if it weren't screwed on. With that being said I won't remember what needs to be done or who I'm supposed to meet with and where.

gum
It's a great hunger stumper.

pens
I carry it around just in case.

This one is for my brother, I'm pretty sure it was his favorite book when he was little (actually one of the only books he probably has ever liked/read). Anyways, I'm excited for this one too and it's coming to theaters on October 16th "Where the Wild Things Are"

I don't know if you've ever read this book, but as a kid this was Paige's favorite (at least I've always thought it was her favorite). So here it is the movie trailer for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" just for you Paiger!

Drinks on Me

I am officially 21! I did start my birthday off on the right foot by taking a shot at midnight with my mom (glenfiddich is a "special" drink for my family so that's what we took a shot of). I don't know if this was the best choice of drink (just from the smell of it I thought I grew a beard and mustache, and then I gulped it down and I grew a full chest of hair) seriously it was NASTY.

The rest of my day was good. My phone was off the hook receiving text after text and call after call. I had school, but it wasn't horrible just the same old sit and take notes day.

Paige came up to celebrate. It made my day, that she would drive up just to have dinner and drinks with me. She did my make up which is always a bonus (she knows what she's doing (I generally just use blush and mascara)).

We, being Courtney, Chris, Paige, and Mom (Dad had work, more on that later) went out for dinner at BJ's Restaurant/Brewery, we all got drinks. I tried the Ultimate Raspberry Lemon Drop, I probably should've stuck with a beer... my drink was good, but could taste the alcohol in it WAY too much. We ordered dinner and dessert... I got a FREE DESSERT of my choice, so I got a PIZOOKIE (MmmMmmMmmmm...) I also bought a drink from the bar it was called Twisted Iced Coffee, it was yummy!

I'm going with Paige to the Rock and Worship Roadshow in Fresno (Addison Road, Jeremy Camp, Hawk Nelson, Mercy Me, and Tenth Avenue North are all playing!!!!) this is one of her birthday presents to me? I think I'm getting a bottle of wine to...

Needless to say that my birthday was much, much better than last year! THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

no more titles

It's just one more thing to think of.... and I can't come up with good title names anymore so I've given up. Unless it's a blog that I really want to have a title. So this is the last blog for now that will have a title.

Wow! My birthday is only in 4 days? (yes, that is a question mark) Am I really going to be turning 21? I know it's not an old age, but it's the fact that I won't be getting the virgin drinks when the family goes out for dinner or wine tasting... OH! I can even legally drink at the Oktoberfest! I do know one thing is for sure I will be drinking on my birthday, but I'll be passing on the fruity drinks for the sake of another allergy. Yes I found out that I'm allergic to pineapple... which is a shame and I think I'll be ignoring my allergy, I just want to eat pineapple.

OK, so pina colada's won't be consumed by me but bring on the drinks!

My Dog Monty

Monty, is one of the most loving, goofy, and hairy dog I have ever had. He has been my shadow and comforter since I've been back home, and I would not want it any other way. As I was working on some homework Monty was being silly by "nesting" on my bed moving blankets around and I just happened to put a sweatshirt on my bed... Monty decided to crawl into my sweatshirt to keep warm, I could pass up the opportunity of taking pictures so here ya go!Monster decided that he was finally comfortable enough to fall asleep.

I think this one is my favorite.

He had enough of me taking pictures of him.

21 days

In 21 days I, myself will be turning 21!!! I'm hoping to have lots of fun and to go out and do something in celebration of my last exciting birthday :)


OH, and my birthday is on Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras... beads anyone? lol!!!

Room by Room...

Since I have been home I have been debating whether I want to move back into my old room that's is much, much bigger than my room right now, it also means downsizing my bed back to a twin and there would be an extra bed just collecting dust. So, on last Thursday while I was home sick with the after math of the flu ( being up all night with the flu qualifies for a sick day) for the majority of the day other than 7 in the morning to email all of my teachers explaining my absence for the day; I seriously slept until 1 or 2 in the afternoon and when I did wake up I still felt gross and nauseous so I decided to think of ways to rearrange my room and it led me to Better Homes and Gardens
where you can arrange your room after some time fiddling around with the program I decided what to do with my bedroom. ALL day Saturday I was in my room not only cleaning... o.k. well kind of cleaning just enough so I could push and shove all my furniture in every which direction. after two days of having my room how I had just arranged it I thought of an even better way and so ALL day today I moved my furniture to the new desired places. I can actually say that I am really excited for the new layout for the fact that it makes my room seem so much bigger and it is WAY more open and inviting! I haven't taken any pictures because well my room is still a mess but I promise (cross my heart, hope to die... I think you get the idea) to post pictures later this week once my room is completely clean and picturesque.


Good Night to you all and for me well I'm going to be taking a HUGE pain killer all this moving heavy furniture stuff has really taken a toll on my back :(

School

So school starts on Tuesday the 20th and I will be swamped with 16 units! I was only able to get one of the classes I originally wanted so looks like an interesting semester. The classes that I'm officially enrolled in are (drum roll please)....

POSC-01 Political Science
MUS-13 History and Appreciation of Jazz
ENGL-A English (it's not the one I wanted to take... oh well)
ENGL-AL English Lab (yeah. ummm... why?)
CPSC-30 Computer Applications
PSYC-23 Personal and Social Adjustment (it's a Wednesday night class)


So pretty much all of my classes are on Tuesday's and Thursday's (all except for my psych. class).

Simple Question

I have been struggling and trying to reevaluate my life; it's not going the greatest. For those of you who do not know I have moved back home. It wasn't my decision, I was dismissed from APU. I'm pretty bitter towards the school right now from the circumstances of the event, but I'm strong enough to talk about it. I at first wasn't really sure what my next step would be other than knowing that I absolutely HAVE to get a degree, which means continuing school. Opportunities have revealed themselves and it has been hard choosing which path to take and what my next move is going to be but the elephant placed in front of me can only be eaten one bite at a time. My sister Paige has talked with her roommates about me moving in with her/them down in Fresno, but the fault is that the schools down there started classes today. I am still considering moving down there sometime in the future maybe to attend Fresno State. For right now I am living at home with mom and dad (who have shown a tremendous amount of support while I figure things out). I found out by a little bit of research that Merced Community College starts on the 20th of January, which is great for me to register for classes this week and start school next Monday. I'm going tomorrow morning to Merced to register for a few classes that I know I need to take hopefully I can get into all of them but I really don't mind crashing a class on the first day or 2 to be able to add the class. The classes I have chosen are:
Nutrition
Computer Applications
English
Personal and Social Adjustments (Psychology)
Cultural Anthropology

That's a total of 15 units which is more than a full time student (it's keeping my parents happy and I'll still be covered by their insurance).


The question I have for all of you is to place me in your prayers, I am in a time of need for guidance to make the right decision.

Where'd it go?

I realize that I haven't blogged at all this whole time that I have been on break... for those who are that upset about me not keeping you posted have most likely seen me while on break and have been updated with what's going on in my life. I also realized that I will be having to go back to school sometime this week/weekend.

My break in a nut shell:

1. Got a speeding ticket on my way home...

2. My computer got a virus...

3. Helped out with Catering jobs... (thought I was gaining some extra cash... but silly me now has to pay for a speeding ticket)

4. Had a Christmas party with all of my close friends from high school...

5. Went down to Fresno to celebrate Christmas with family and then stayed the night at Paige's apartment...

6. Had a quiet and relaxing Christmas...

7. Computer virus worsened and now computer won't turn on :(

8. Went to the lake sailed a little and pulled the boat out of the water...

9. Went to Mission Springs for 2008 staff reunion

10. Had an uneventful New Year's celebration...


Ya, that pretty much describes my break, not totally exciting or anything but it has been great being home!

Revamped Blog

So, finals are this week and I had my first final due yesterday (it was a take home, but it was the hardest take home I have ever had). I have a final due later today (a paper on "The Devil Wears Prada") so I decided to do this as a break from the paper. I changed up the look of my blog, it took me awhile to figure it out but it is all said and done and is water under the bridge. I hope you all like the new look. Also, I would like to know what you are all interested in (topic wise)I can't really think of anything to blog about so how about some ideas.

Oh and guess what!?! I will be home sometime tomorrow afternoon!
I thought I'd let you know. :)

Twas the night before finals....

Twas the night before finals,
And all through the college,
The students were praying
For last minute knowledge.

Most were quite sleepy,
But none touched their beds,
While visions of essays
Danced in their heads.

Out in the taverns,
A few were still drinking,
And hoping that liquor
Would get their brains thinking.

In my own apartment,
I had been pacing,
Dreading all those exams
I soon would be facing.

My roommate was speechless,
His nose in his books,
And my comments to him
Drew unfriendly looks.

I drained all the coffee,
And brewed a new pot,
No longer caring
That my nerves were shot.

I stared at my notes,
But my thoughts were all muddy,
My eyes went a'blur,
I just couldn't study.

"Some pizza might help,"
I said with a shiver,
But each place I called
Refused to deliver.

I'd pretty much concluded
Life is unfair and cruel,
Since our futures all depend
On grades made in school.

When all of a sudden,
Our door opened wide,
And Patron Saint Put-It-Off
Ambled inside.

Her spirit was careless,
Her manner was mellow,
She looked at the mess
And started to bellow:

"Why should us students
Make such a fuss,
About what those teachers
Toss out to us?"

"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes!
On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit,
And Last Minute Crams!"

Her message delivered,
She vanished from sight,
But we heard her laughing
Outside in the night.

"Your teachers won't flunk you,
So just do your best.
Happy Finals to All,

And to All, a good test."

Lost Amongst the Wealth

I was procrastinating by watching random video clips on YouTube
I found this really fascinating video about poverty in America... well mainly California. Please watch!

Joy of Baking

On Sunday when I got back to school I decided that I wanted to get all of my friends together for a last hurray before finals and going home for the holidays. "What did I decided to do with them?" you ask. Well, it is Christmas time and the only thing that I could think of was baking and decorating Christmas cookies.

Yesterday I held a cookie decorating "party". Sure they weren't anything too fancy, just the very simple sugar cookies and homemade frosting. I made the dough, rolled it, used cute little cookie cutters (Christmas tree, candy cane, star, and Christmas stocking), and baked them just before everyone showed up so they were still just a little bit warm and the cookie aroma was lingering around my apartment when everyone showed up. I made lots of homemade frosting (it's a secret recipe....(OK you got me it's the one on the back of the box... but I did make it from scratch!)) and dyed it (red, yellow, and green (and left some to stay white)). I really thought I was in over my head, like what was I thinking in over my head... then I started to think about how many people would really show up because there is homework to do and finals to study for.


You know how all you need is the faith of a mustard seed, I had that. Boy was I wrong about being in over my head!!! It was a HUGE hit, tons of people stopped by to decorate cookies... (there's maybe a dozen that aren't decorated yet...) If I knew how much people enjoy decorating cookies I wouldn't have been so nervous about nobody showing up...

Christmas Jokes

So, I found a few Christmas jokes that I thought were either cute or funny; BEWARE some/all of them are just a bit LAME...



Q: What did one Snowman say to the other Snowman?
A: Do you smell carrot?

Q: What never eats at Christmas time?
A: The turkey, it's usually STUFFED!!!

Q: What do you get when you cross an archer and a gift-wrapper?
A: Ribbon Hood

Q: What do you get when you put a snowman on roller blades?
A: A Snow mobile!

Q: How does a Yeti get down the hill?
A: by-icicle

Q: What is an ig?
A: A house of an Eskimo without a loo

Q: What did the cow say on Christmas morning?
A: Mooey Christmas!

Q: What is the most special part of your body at Christmas?
A: mistleTOE

Q: What is the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the original alphabet?
A: there is NOEL

Q: What is a mom's favorite Christmas carol?
A: Silent Night

Q: Why is it always cold on Christmas?
A: Because it's Decemberrrrrrrrr

Q: Why is it difficult to keep a secret at the North Pole?
A: Because your teeth chatter!

Q: What goes red white red white red white?
A: Santa Claus rolling down a hill

Q: What do you say to Santa Claus when he is taking attendance at school?
A: Present!

Q: What do you get if you deep fry Santa?
A: Crisp Kringle

Q: What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
A: snowflakes

Q: What do you get if a vampire gets crossed with Jack Frost?
A: frost bite

Q: What animal can write?
A: a pen-guin

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Oakham
Oakham who?
Oakham all ye faithful...

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Wayne
Wayne who?
Wayne a manger...








Oh! This made me laugh too!!!

Office Holiday Memo

To: All Employees
From: Management
Subject: Office conduct during the Christmas season

Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).

1. Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.
2. Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden (it runs up an incredible long distance bill)
3. Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug."
4. Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.
5. All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.
6. Egg nog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.

In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Happy Holiday.