little bit of a crisis

So here's the story... I just got back from a run and wanted to start dinner before I showered. I put veggie oil in a pan on the stove and was ready to add the meat for beef stroganoff. Then it BURST INTO FLAMES. What the heck? It was so freaky. At least two of my roomies were here and helped handle the situation. It would be so funny to hear our conversation now because we really controlled the entire ordeal in an orderly fashion. The scary part was the fire alarm, all the smoke, talking with the csd and policeman. After the place was such a mess because the fire extinguisher coats everything with powder. I think I cleaned for four straight hours. And of course having to tell my parents was hard. They even started in on the whole "you should have done this" or "that's not the way you are supposed to do it." Well, there were no injuries or damages. Thank God. Now I just have to get all the adrenaline out of my system so I can actually sleep soundly tonight.

15 differences between guys and girls

Found this on boundless.org and they're pretty funny and true. The last one has got to be my favorite.
1. Even though a guy has 50% more brute strength than a girl, she is able to withstand higher temperatures than he can.
2. A girl has a larger stomach, kidneys, liver, and appendix than a guy, but she has smaller lungs, thus giving her less breathing capacity than a guy.
3. The right hemisphere of guys’ brains are better developed, therefore they are more visual, mathematic, exploring, more sex oriented, and commit most violent crime. Girls, though, have the left hemisphere more developed and are therefore more verbal, communicative, sensitive, and more prone to phobias and depression.
4. Guys use restrooms solely for biological reasons — to drain their bladder. Girls, on the other hand, use restrooms as social lounges. Guys will never speak a word or make eye contact with others they don’t know there. But girls who’ve never even met will, by the time they’re finished, leave laughing out loud together like old friends.
5. When the restaurant check comes, each of the guys will throw big bills out on the table to supposedly pay for the tab. When the check comes for the girls, each will get out her calculator to verify the total and figure her down-to-the-penny part.
6. All week, a girl will thoughtfully make an extensive list of things to purchase at the store and when she arrives, she walks directly from item to item, comparing prices and coupons. When the frig is empty and starting to grow things, a guy will just show up at the closest store and start cruising up and down every aisle, throwing in his basket anything that looks appealing. Even though his cart is jam-packed, he will try to butt in the 10 items-or-less checkout line.
7. A guy has five items in his bathroom — a razor, shaving cream, a bar of soap, a toothbrush, and towel from Holiday Inn. The average number of items in a typical girl’s bathroom is reported to be as high as 437, the majority of which a guy couldn’t even tell what they are or used for.
8. When a girl says she will be ready in five minutes, she’s using the same meaning of time as when a guy says the football game has just five minutes left to play. Neither the guy nor the girl is counting time-outs, commercials, or replays!
9. A girl believes that visitors will be impressed by a clean house. A guy believes the visitors will be impressed by his large stereo.
10. Guys don’t decorate their handwriting, they just chicken-scratch. Girls will pull out their scented, color coordinated stationary and use ridiculously large circles, hearts, and loops to finish off their “i’s”, “p’s”, and “g’s.” It is a real hassle to read a letter from a girl. Even when she is dumping a guy, she’ll finish it off with a smiley face at the end!
11. If a girl is out driving and she finds herself in unfamiliar surroundings, she will stop at a gas station and ask for directions. Guys, of course, consider this to be a sign of weakness. A guy will never stop and ask for directions. They will drive in a circle for hours, all the while saying things like, "Looks like I've found a new way to get there," and, "I know I'm in the neighborhood. I recognize that Ace hardware store."
12. With the exception of female bodybuilders who call each other names like "Ultimate Pecs" and "Big Turk," women disdain the use of nicknames. If Amber, Suzanne, Katherine, and Natalie get together for lunch, they will call each other Amber, Suzanne, Katherine, and Natalie. But if Mike, Dave, Rob, and Aron go out on the town, they will affectionately refer to each other as Bullet-Head, Godzilla, Peanut-Brain, and Yard-Dart.
13. A girl worries about the future until she gets a husband, while a guy never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
14. A girl marries a guy expecting him to change, but he usually doesn’t. A guy marries a girl thinking she will always be the same — and, of course, she isn’t.
15. Girls love cats. Guys say they love cats, but when girls aren’t looking, they kick cats.

legacy by nicole nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

And I enjoy an accolade like the rest

You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery

Of all the who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best

At such 'n such...it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights

We all need an "Atta boy" or "Atta girl"

But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides

the temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to you enough to make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace who blessed

Your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile

To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy

It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile

Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred

Just want to hear instead, "Well done" good and faithful one

Romans 5:19

Because one person disobeyed God, many people became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many people will be made right in God's sight.

better is one day

How lovely is

Your dwelling place

Oh Lord Almighty,

For my soul longs

And even faints

For You

For here my heart

Is satisfied

Within Your presence

I sing beneath

The shadow ofYour wings

Better is one day in Your courts

Better is one day in Your house

Better is one day in Your courts

Than thousands elsewhere

One thing I ask,

And I would seek,

To see Your beauty

To find You in

The place Your glory dwells

Better is one day in Your courts

Better is one day in Your house

Better is one day in Your courts

Than thousands elsewhere

My heart and flesh cry out

For You, the Living God

Your Spirit's water to my soul

I've tasted, and I've seen

Come once again to me

I will draw near to You

Better is one day

Better is one day

Better is one day

Than thousands elsewhere

Better is one day in Your courts

Better is one day in Your house

Better is one day in Your courts

Than thousands elsewhere

the weekend

So, the last couple of days have been crazy. Saturday night was the Relient K concert, which was totally awesome. When we got there and waited in line forever, I hadn't realized they were checking student ID cards with the admission tickets, but one of the people let me in anyways. I was so jazzed about that since I didn't have to walk all the way back to our apartment and wait in line all over again, and because I recognized her when she was on stage particpating during a Smile and Nod show. The concert was so packed with little kids too. House of Heroes was one of the openers that I really liked. The lead singer had nice hair- even while he was rockin out it went back to the same place all smooth. (I wish my hair could do that.) Relient K was really fun to watch and listen to. The lead singer acted just the way I had always pictured in my mind. They even played the theme song to Full House which was random but awesome! We didn't stay for MxPx but went to Denny's for milkshakes and played Cranium with our neighbors until really late. Before we started the game, one of the guys plays the bagpipes, so he went out by the staircase/courtyard area and played a couple of songs. It was so great, and everyone was cheering. Well, except for one jerk, but besides that they loved it.
Sunday was our little pre-Thanksgiving. I spent most of the afternoon making funfetti cupcakes for two birthdays and snacks for small group tonight. The oven was going all day, and the turkey was roasted next door, and some pies went upstairs to another friend's apartment. So, that means we used three ovens yesterday. Dinner went way better than I expected. We had 18 people in our apartment and plenty of food. I was so tired once I had finished eating and sat down. After cupcakes, cleaning, onion-roasted potatoes, and a quick run, I needed time to catch my breath. Clean-up was pretty easy, but by then I had to finished my physics assignment that was due this afternoon. wow, it was a night.
And today, my bio class was cancelled because of the short week, I got a high B on my physics midterm, and I'm going over to my Bible study leader's place for dinner (enchiladas!). Plus, this time tomorrow I will be going home!

how true is that?

"We tend to rely on our own energy, instead of being energized by the power that comes from identification with Jesus." - Oswald Chambers

drastic measures

The first eight weeks of school I was lazy and did not participate in any physical activity besides walking or moving boxes at work. Since last Saturday, I have gone running in Poly canyon four times. In a week no less! Well, that's what stress will do to you.

i look upon your hill by seven places

I look upon Your hill

Your broken body hanging still

Your blood drips down

Your face and brow

You brought me life through death

No greater Love than this

Surely He's borne our grief

Carried our sorrow

Though we've gone astray

It's by His stripes and wounds

We were healed

On that glorious day.

Oh Lord, You've worn the crown

I've placed uponYour head

Oh Lord, I've pierced Your hands

Yet Your blood declares my innocence

success is not forever, failure is not fatal???

So, this quote was on the top of our quiz today in engr 213. Profs just trying to be funny, but I beg to differ. I really disagree with this quote the more that I think about it. "Success is not forever" is quite true at least in the sense of earthly possessions and achievements. God's success will remain eternal. The part that really disturbs me especially in an engineering class where we are supposed to grasp the idea that our decisions can mean life or death for people who cross a bridge or live in a high-rise. I mean look at Apollo 13... the catch phrase for the movie was "failure is not an option." And if we are thinking in terms of NASA, the Challenger and Columbia space shuttles were fatal flights because of a failure. Anyways, I wanted to share my disappointment in the (attempted) humor.

Isaiah 54:7-8

"For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back. In a moment of anger I turned my face away for a little while. But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Habakkuk 3:2

I have heard all about you, LORD, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy.

yesterday...

Monday was filled with lots of wandering thoughts that I wanted to get cleared up. It started off at work. I hole-punched and stitched over 600 California Agriculture Teacher's Directories. So, I was warned about the book stitcher being a huge staple gun with no safeties. I was being careful with the machinery (which doesn't scare me too much since I worked in a machine shop over the summer where I cut my finger to the bone with a drill bit, ouch, but I am still afraid of stitching my finger to a booklet) when I opened the next box and stabbed my thumb with a box cutter. I was mad at myself for being so clumsy even though it is practically healed now.
Class was pretty insignificant besides the fact I got an A on my bio quiz! At small group last night, we finally had a discussion about guys. It has taken us a few weeks of getting to know one another, but I could see this topic coming up. Everyone seemed to agree on the fact that they want to get married and raise a family. Of course, for now, they are all concentrating on an education and career to provide for themselves until that happens. On the other hand, there's me, who isn't even sure if she wants to settle down. I've always pictured myself living in a big city apartment working full time in an awesome position that challenges me daily. The only company I plan on having is a cat or two maybe a dog. Well, it must be for the best that I am not seeing a family in my version of the plan since it is actually God's divine plan, and He will place the right desires in my heart at the most appropriate time.

get your laughs

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/faintinggoats.html
So, these goats just stiffen their legs and look hilarious when they fall over. And the puppy is adorable.
http://www.funnyclipcentral.com/content/sleepypuppy.php

breathtaking

Right when I felt there was nothing important going on, God blesses us with the vibrant colors of the sky packaged in something as simple as a sunset.

cakes?

Why are they called rice cakes? There is nothing cakey about them. I mean they are practically the opposite of cake yumminess. Don't get me wrong I am addicted to the salty kind, but the name doesn't make any sense to me. They look more like patties or, even better, slices.

i don't understand sometimes

Why must girls be so moody!?!

when graphic artists get bored

here are some of my favs...

ramblings

So, all of the sudden it seems like I have too much on my mind. I mean, besides school of course which by the way is looking less daunting. I'm not sure if that is due to over-confidence or disillusionment. Its just that my thoughts seem to be swirling all over the place. I just found out a friend is dropping out and moving back home. Now it is just a matter of when the school says to move out. I'm struggling with the fact that I don't know what to think. I saw this coming about a year ago. But it is definitely not the time to say, "See I told you so." I feel really bad since I (well this includes every person but it just convicts me so hard right now) am supposed to have this godly impact on people around me. I am not understanding the better promise and hope in this situation that God could have in store. Note to self, remember:

And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

-Philippians 1:6

Then there is the fact that I have been making some more new friends. This is a good thing in and of itself. But I'm not sure about some of my feelings when I want to tell this one new friend about something important (see above) rather than a close, older friend. I am usually a rational person, and this doesn't make any sense! So I had all these things laying heavy on me during Bible study. We kinda closed with the fact that we don't take the time to,

"Be silent, and know that I am God! "

-Psalm 46:10a

I decided on my walk back home to sit and have devotionals under the stars outside (since it has been stormy there weren't any stars). I guess I was expecting something super profound or encouraging. I finally got back after my toes were frozen and realized that I hadn't waited for God to speak, which is what I was really after. Oh, how easily distracted I am. So, I just got back from a little walk that has at least calmed the anxiousness of my heart and soul and instead has replaced the stress with the love and comfort only found in my Heavenly Father. Saying that sounds so easy and simple but was my answer all along for every one of these worries I have blabbed about. Thank goodness for the patience of God.

round 2

Quarters are wonderful. As in the school system, although the coins are awesome too. But it is my second batch of midterms, and this week is looking pretty hairy. My bio 213 quiz went ok this afternoon. The frustrating part was I knew two out of three or three out of four characteristics. And it seemed like they were every question. Tomorrow morning, well I guess its today now, is mate 210. It wouldn't be so bad if I had bothered to read or do practice problems. Since I am a procrastinator, it is cramming time. Then phys 141 homework and quiz plus a math 241 exam. Wow, I am not sleeping much this week. At least Friday is a holiday!

camping in our apartment

So last night my roommates and I came up with the idea of having a slumber/sleepover party. Obviously we pitched a tent and pulled out our sleeping bags. We even had smores! microwave style-no fires indoors rule still applies. Our neighbors said we wouldn't make it all night on the ground, but it wasn't that bad except it gets bright really early since all we have is that thin drape. I did have a scary dream about huge spiders though.

already?

The Kings are 0-2. What is happening? I mean I barely recoginze the players anymore since they have been trading like crazy.

undoing self-sufficiency

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
-Jim Elliot

Matthew 17:20

"...even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed... Nothing would be impossible."