barely scathed by that one!

On Friday I was working at the antique store when I received a call from one of my Artes co-workers, JP. I was hiding in the bathroom to talk to him and he said, "Hey, they're doing layoffs today. You might lose your job." He's always bugging me (in a nice way) at work so I thought he was crank calling me...he would do something like that. Um, loosing my job? hahaha... I got a voicemail 2 hours later that said, "Hey, just thought I'd let you know you're safe." Well, good, thanks for the call...I wasn't worried in the first place.
I went in early on Monday and overheard Customer Support and IT talking quietly about all the people that got let go. JP was totally serious, I definitely could have lost my job! What a shocker that would have been after the absolutely fabulous weekend I had hanging out with my mom and Brady. I came to find out, when I saw JP a little later, that I was actually on the list of people they were going to let go...but I got off it somehow. I got a, "Wow, you're still here!?" from Tony, to which I just did the raised eyebrow nod. Psh. I guess that wasn't expected. The, "You made it too!" from Andrew was a bit more encouraging. I know my boss' boss doesn't think I make a big contribution to the company, but others do, so something worked out for me. I seriously don't know who talked to who, or what came up but my position still exists. God must really love me.
The company is cutting corners any way they can since they didn't make as much money as they expected last year. Even people high above me lost their jobs because I guess they weren't important enough. It's pretty scary. There was a pretty awkward tone throughout the office because most people were sad about one of their friends being let go, or just grateful to still have their job. I am too. Even though I think they would be stupid to get rid of me-cheap slave labor with no benefits, you never know what might happen the next time they decide to downsize. This is the 2nd time they're done layoffs since I've been there (6 months). I don't know how lucky I'm gonna be if they do another round of "restructuring"... Sooo, I'll just count my blessings right now and seriously start to think about getting another job.

Pix of the baby piggies

You know what I love? Leftovers that taste just as good when you heat them up the second time as they did the first time.

Anyway, the pigs, the PIGS!

This is Cow.

Cow is so cute. Does't he resemble a baby cow? He might be the tamest because he's our favorite and we pick him up the most. He just got given away to our ex 3-door down neighbor down at the Palisades. She was talking about getting one of those things we had for her daughter since she loves animals and we just offered him up...I'm gload he has a good home and all but he was so cute. Bittersweet.

I also like it hot and dirty rather than cold and clean. o_0. Just kidding....

Snake Food.

Lovingly named because I don't think I'd care if he got eaten by a snake. He squeals loud and incessantly...and unnecessarily, it seems. It's irritating. And he's so sqeemish that it's hard to pet him or calm him down. He's definitely not as well adjusted as Cow but he's getting better. Especially now that he has to put up with Jazz, the least well adjusted of them all. Cow was so cute, ho hum... I wish he wasn't or else I might have less attachment issues with letting him go. But they need to go. Having 3 guinea pigs is expensive and not what i bargained for when I bought one...anyone in the market for Snake Food???

Also, I quit Jamba Juice (I don't know if everyone know's already...) boy was that a party. No more smoothie making, yayyyy! I'll stick to margaritas with my blender...

God Whispers

I love hearing God speak. Most times when I hear Him I find that He can be pretty loud. Like when I'm reading the Bible and a verse I've read a hundred times suddenly has new meaning, or when it feels like a pastor is speaking directly to me or about something that's going on in my life in their sermon. It think of that as God yelling because He needs my attention...Perhaps I should have seen it coming or I didn't want to listen. When I feel like what I've read or heard literally hits me in the face I really realize how much God loves me and wants good things for me...and of course that I can't hide anything from Him. It's refreshing and that painful conviction is what I need sometimes. But I live for those moments when I feel something in my heart and know that was God speaking. Or a small thought enters my mind and I wonder where it came from but it gives me so much peace I know it had to be God.

Two Sundays ago I had such a moment. Miles was talking about getting involved in what's going on in the church and ministries, not just coming every Sunday like you're paying your dues. It doesn't seem very related to the sermon, but God told me to be content where I am and just put this peace in my heart.

I've been wanting to get involved with things but I haven't found something I really felt suited me or that I would get into just to get into something so I could feel better about doing something for God. I also like to think that being here might be temporary and I can up and go somewhere else whenever I want...Maybe I'll take off for Rome, or go back home or whatever, who knows? I like to think the options are there and I can take them at a moment's notice. I didn't want to commit to serving somewhere and then in a couple of months not want to do it anymore or go somewhere else...I don't just have commitment issues with boys, it's with everything--I just have a hard time settling on ONE thing, especially for an extended period of time.

I don't think God wants me to be continuously searching for the next escape. I need to keep my mind in the here and now and be grounded, not just dreaming about what could be. I need to think about where God wants me and how God can use me where I am. I'm in San Diego and I want to be here...I just need to start living like it.

It happened just like last time...

We went out to a Rock related event, (this time it was The Venue, last time it was Remnant), then we hung out and got food afterwards. We were only gone a few hours both times. When we get home I go to the bathroom and laura goes to the bedroom...and then I hear "Liko!!!" Yeah, more little guinea pigs in the cage, little bit of a bloody mess. This time there were 3. This is hilarious because I was just thinking today, (when I was giving Chessy a good pet and telling her how obese she is) "Man, it would be funny if you popped out more babies." Lo and behold...... They're really cute and soooo tiny. Apparently we can't read genitalia very well because we have a little bit of a mystery: Who's the daddy? Just in case, we took "Jasmine" out of the cage and renamed "her" Captain Freak-Out. He/She is freaking out in the box right now.

Possible names:
Pat/Patricia
Francisco/Francesca
George/Georgette
um, and Bryan...

We're going for names that can easily be changed to the other gender...since, as we said, we can't read genetalia very well....or else this wouldn't have happened.

So...anyone want a guinea pig??

[S.A.D!?] ...but I'm not sad!

In light of it being valentine's day and all, I thought it would be an appropriate time to comment on dating.

It bothers me how a lot of people seem to think that finding a significant other or special someone is the point of their lives, like having a boyfriend or girlfriend (or whatever) is what you need to be happy. I think it's a hideous lie from popular culture. It's like if you aren't dating, you're a loser! Someone must always be interested in you and if you aren't in a relationship you should have just gotten out of one, and looking for another one to try again. Laaame! Why can't you just be happy by yourself?

I've gotten a lot of comments, especially recently, about how I'm still single, how I never have a boyfriend or date a lot or things don't work out... I've had more than one friend ask me, "don't they have Christian dating sites or something?" Why yes, yes they do. I'm 23 years old, I'm not desperate! That goes right back to the part where people seem to think I'm not normal for staying single and I'd be happier or have a better life with a boyfriend. In 1 Corinthians 7:34 Paul says, "...An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband." I'm more preoccupied at the moment with figuring out what to do with my life and how to fulfill God's purpose for me.

What's even funnier to me is that even my church has to touch on this. There was a class advertised in the bulletin called "Single: Blessing or Curse?" It seems that so many people struggle with this idea that being single means they have a problem (and maybe they do...) but I saw that and said, "Blessing!" (easy answer) and was done with it...I could teach that class! I've come to realize that this is how God wants it for me right now and I'm actually happy about it.

I want to grow, I want to see the world, I want to see where God leads me & I don't want preoccupation with boys to hold me back. I want to discover where my heart and passion for serving God is and then, maybe, God will give me someone who has a heart and passion like mine too. Until then, I think I'm better off going it alone...

I prolly shouldn't have registered Green...

I came across this cartoon and as cute and funny as it is, it makes a good point. Those 2 seem to be the only ones the media cares about (wait, who's running?? a woman AND a black!?! wow...) Excuse me, but have we forgotten where our focus should be??


I never really cared to know much about politics until this election, but with so much is happening and so many opinions flying around I've actually done my own research. No really, this is a big step for me. I'm over the whole Barack and I went to the same highschool thing--definitely not a good enough reason to vote for the man. I don't agree with a lot of things he supports. I'm not gonna go off telling you who I'm voting for, or who you should vote for, but I just encourage you to look at where a candidate stands on the important issues.

this weekend.

social.

friday...
After my first day of true Antique Store action I wanted to pass out but I have my responsibilities to the kids so I didn't. Laura and I cleaned the cage (same old, same old) and went to the Living Room in Old Town with Caleb to see Shem and Tobias play. I'd have put in a website or something here, but i don't think they have one. They should though because they sounded rather good. At least, laura and I enjoyed them. They're playing at the Living Room in Point Loma 2/6 and back at the one in Old Town 2/8. I love live music.

saturday...
I always say that they're my least favorite day because I work 2 jobs one after the other, but they've turned out really fun in recent history. I mean, we got to see No Duh play at Rock Bottom brewery downtown. They're RAD and it was wayyy better than a club with just a dance floor and a DJ, cheaper than seeing Gwen Stefani and easier than trying to get No Doubt back together....and then having to pay to see that. The guys even did a little Sublime when Spen (Gwen) was changing costumes. They were so much fun! I love live music...


sunday...
I keep thinking that Superbowl Sunday is like a holiday...like stores should be closed or something. But no, the game's just on and it's a day like any other day.
I think in general, NY played pretty sloppy, but that last touchdown during the last 2 minutes was pretty miraculous so I forgive them. I was rooting for them and they won, all that matters.