Resurrection (part IV)

I don't claim to be a "blogger". I know some people that are "bloggers" and I must say that on dull days at work I do appreciate them. Sadly, I can't return the favor. I have not posted on this blog for most of the year, which is really sad. I couldn't even remember how to access it and almost gave up when I FINALLY remembered the password. So why did I decided to join the world of the living blogs (if only temporarily)? No particular reason. So, since I have been away for such a long time I should fill you in. ("You" being my imaginary friends, since my real ones have long ago given up checking my blog for new entries)

A. I went back to school this year. My mother thinks that I have some type of disease that makes me obsessively pursue the title of "student". It is, no doubt, a hereditary disease - my father is inflicted as well. I am a career student, I shall just live with that reality. I decided that, as much as I enjoy law, I really want to be a psychologist. Currently I am about 2/3 finished with my Masters in Psychology, and then I am going straight into the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) course. I admit...I LOVE it. As part of our course work we have to actually work in the field. I am surprised how many "Christian Psychologist" are just individuals who have personal Christian beliefs but fail to bring those beliefs into their practice. I always saw ads and such for "Christian Psychologist" and assumed that there is an abundance of them. But I am finding that it is very rare to find a Psychologist who brings Christ into his/her practice. But more on that in another entry. (see - I am trying)
I am hoping to complete all of my courses and have all of my California certification hours completed by Summer 2009. We shall see. In the meantime, I am still working at a law firm. I haven't completely given up on the practice of law, it just doesn't hold the same luster that it once did. (for me)

B. Many of you know that in late 2006 I founded a non-profit community based ogranization. It has been a slow start, but we are now offically OPEN!! We offer a great deal of services to our local community including Substance Abuse Recovery Programs, English as a Second Language, Job Skill Training and Placement, and a Food Bank Station. Within this coming year we hope to add several more services and programs as our alliance with other area community organizations and government agencies increases. It has been a difficult year with end to end meetings and lots of networking and fundraising, but God is faithful! How exciting it is to see a longtime vision come into reality. This last quarter has been nothing short of miraculous. The facility, supplies, staff, funding, everything just feel right into place. Definately the gracious hand of our Lord.

So that is it for now. I can't think of anything else to write. And if I do I will save it for another entry, just to give the appearance of life on my blog.

Proof that Watching TV CAN kill you

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15895965/

How sad.

I am in love

I went to the store the other day (I know this story starts off like many many other of my stories, but hold on) to pick up a random item. I honestly think it is a completely wasted trip if I make it to the register and have only one item, so I decided to look around for something else that I might want...since I was there. I remembered that I wanted to try another nail color so I found their selection. One little bottle caught my eye and I bought it. I must say: "where have you been all of my life?" I love this color. It is called Plum Vamp.

So I am kind of upset at the name. My first reaction to the term "vamp" was negative in that my typical idea is that the definition is "a seductive woman who uses her sensuality to exploit men." Now no comments from the peanut gallery, but I didn't exactly want to walk around waving my (very cute) hands with the message..."Hey guys, let me exploit you." Not that in this or any parallel reality any man would actually think I was serious. But that is beside the point. I promise this story will actually end.
So I was kind of sad, and I racked my brain for alternate meanings of the word, and remembered all of the horrid music lessons of my past. And there you have it...a vamp. A Jazz term : an accompaniment, usually improvised, consisting of a succession of simple chords.
All is right with the world. I can guiltlessly love my new nail color, and its racy name. I love Jazz. By the way, the Jazz Festival is going on!!!!

Ready, Set, GO!

Talk about being "ready"

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15507998/?GT1=8717

But honestly, as a Christian it is great to know that we really CAN be completely ready to die. Living is great, but just imagine what awaits us when our time here on earth is done? There is no better preparation for death then a life lived for Christ.

But I WANT it.............

I am convinced that a shopping addiction is inherited. Actually, I should stop referring to my love of shopping as a "shopping addiction" because, supposedly, that really is a classified addiction. I did take one of those crazy little online self-evaluation tests and I am proud to announce that I am cleared from any form of addiction, including blogging obviously.

What was I talking about? Oh yeah: shopping.

I lived in the Bay Area for who knows how long, but a while. Can you believe that I had no idea that there was a designer outlet mall within easy driving distance? I know, shocking! Anyway, my mom is in town for a visit so we headed down there for an afternoon/evening of shopping! It was great fun. Most of my favorite designers have an outlet there. By the time we were done the back of my truck was filled with bags. What a wonderful sight. I should have taken a picture. Well that is okay, I am sure that there will be many opportunities to do so....in the near future.

Lions, Tigers and Bears....oh MY!

I am thinking of joining the circus, at least then I could excuse the behavior of my co-workers. Why is it that grown adults feel the need to play dress-up? Okay, I will admit that it IS fun to walk down Rodeo Drive and spend hours in the store trying on outfits that you would never be able to afford, unless you sold your first-born child. But walking around all day looking like a queen, a DRAG queen, a wizard, raggedy Anne & Andy, Medusa and the bride of Frankenstein!? I mean, really people! So, as you are discussing that all important final detail of a landmark merger, a "ghost" walks by followed by his secretary dressed as....a stripper. I realize that this is CA and we have a relaxed dress code but that is crazy. I think I am cutting this day short and heading home away from the crazies.

Short and Sweet

My very short mini-vacation is now over. I am back home and trying my best to focus on working. It is always so hard to get back into the swing of things after being gone for a while. I am a whole-hearted advocate of the vacation after a vacation movement. It is going to take me a week just to do the laundry, grocery shopping and clean up after my mad dash to pack just hours before the plane departed. (Last minute packing has always, and will probably always be my "style"). I need to take that week off and sleep, but will I? No.

But what I will do is post pictures of my trip and share at least a funny story or two (for the benefit of CB). But that will have to wait until I can actually unpack my camera and get it to be friendly with my computer. Soon....

Excuses, Excuses

Study: Teenage brain lacks empathy - LiveScience - MSNBC.com

It is FRIDAY! Finally

My computer keyboard has this new game that it likes to play: it randomly decides that it doesn't want to type any letters, only numbers and symbols. I have notified my firm's IT person, he is as confused as I am. I usually type away and pay no attention to the output on the screen. I ended up with an entire email worth of number and symbol babble. It would have been entertaining if I had not spent my time actually thinking of intelligent and eloquent words. Oh well, it is Friday, what can I say.

My new wheels should be rolling up to my door by 8am tomorrow morning. And around the same time my brother (a new CA transplant) and my niece will be knocking on the door for a visit. My brother has been out to see me a few times since I move to CA. His trips were filled with all of the wonders and sights that this area has to offer. This trip we are going to "The Jungle" playground, the petting zoo, a painting workshop, the "Build a Bear" workshop and of COURSE Toys R Us. I guess you can only image who the itinerary is built around- the little Miss. It should be fun. I arranged a play date with other little ones, so that she can meet some new CA friends (they are the best kind of friends after all). She loves animals, I hope she gets along with Armani who will definitely enjoy the company. He is in a stage where nothing that I do is enough. He demands my complete attention every waking moment (and many sleeping moments also). He use to be completely content to play an hour or so and then he just wanted to have his food and water and be left alone to nap and play with his toys alone. Not the case anymore- the thinks that he is superkitty and gets really high up on things and then has no idea how to get down. Then he screams until I get him down...and goes right back up. Maybe he will outgrow it?