too busy having fun

March was a crazy month. I feel like I did way too much and now all I want to do is take a nap. But April is going to be exciting too. This weekend Eric was doing his racing @ OC/RC in Huntington Beach. On Friday night I got to go watch, it was a lot of fun. I almost want to start racing myself. On Saturday, Eric's friends Randy and Rodney were racing, although Eric decided he didn't want to race in such a large race yet (it had super mad skilled peeps and he is still getting used to this track and racing in general) But Eric did take some amazing pictures of the boys races. Meanwhile I went to the Disney Character Warehouse in Anaheim and bought two Pook-a-looz. I LOVE them. I got Kermit and the Mad Hatter. They are so cute it is stupid. After I went shopping I brought Eric Lunch, then we went on a lunch run for the boys. AFter that we went to the Cabrillo Marine Museum, but forgot to bring cash for parking so we looked at the whole thing within an hour, because I was pretty sure I had a dollar in change in my car. LOL! AFter that we got a snack at the Torrance Bakery, then we headed back to the race track because Eric forgot a camera battery. Then we ate at SuperMex and drove home.

Tomorrow we are going to the melting pot for dinner because I got sent a 20 dollar off coupon. I <3 Coupons!

Next weekend, we plan on going to the Butterfly Jungle exhibit at the SD Zoo Safari PArk (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park) I am hoping it isn't crazy hot that day.

The weekend after should see us in Los Angeles as I am baking for the FOL Booksale Bakesale, and I want to go to the LA Spring Fair too.

The weekend after is Easter, and then the month is almost over. May looks to be busy too, but I have a week off work for when Eric's Nephews (and Sister in law) are coming to visit. And now we see why I never blog, I am just too busy!

My World...

I didn't really mean to come off as being so defensive in my last (non-verse of the month) post.

But at the time I was feeling really defensive and I guess it was apparent.

Oh Well.

Today the new library opens. We are very excited. It is beautiful.

Tonight I have a shin dig at school to be at so I won't be at church. But since this is my last semester at the greatest school in the world, I wanted to participate in a couple of events. I really am sad to be leaving, but yet excited to see what the next phase of life will bring too!

Today

I got my cap and gown today! I feel very official and such. And I get to buy a stole to wear because I am a member of Phi Alpha Theta. I also got to spend the morning with my friend Ashley who I haven't seen since December.

In embarrasing moments. I have been dealing with snot all day and it likes to fly out at embarrasing times.

Fly Away

So, I am officially flying out in the morning and will be back Monday evening.

I am excited.

I just have to get through today first.

Which includes the commencement fair. I will probably but not guranteed post about it later today.

I am off to get ready

Monster Cheese and Onions

SO today I went to work, where we suffered through yet another day of no heat. But I still had a little bit of fun, even though we were all Chilly Willy status.

After that I went to Sarah's house. Then we went to the British store where I bought Lemon Curd for my amazing moonbeam cookies, and my favorite Chocolate buttons. I love the chocolate buttons.

After that we went to Jo Ann's where we bought felt to make our own versions of ugly dolls, I made a not so ugly yeti that is almost done. As soon as he is I will post a picture.

Then I went to the store where I shopped like a relatively healthy thinking person by avoiding the center aisles and shopping around the outside of the store, and I bought ingredients for three yummy meals. Now All I have to do is decide which one I feel like making tonight.

My options are Spaghetti with Italian Sausage
French Onion Soup with yummy Muenster Cheese and Bread and Salad
or Salad and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich

The last option is fastest but the first one sounds amazing
whatever I dont do tonight between the sapghetti and the soup I will do tomorrow. Oh well, off to figure out dinner...

Let all within us praise His holy name

Well, I have had one of those days where you range from one extreme to another.

This morning I woke up even though I really wanted to stay in bed. I went and taught Sunday school. Until this point it was a pretty average day.

Then it was time for church. One of my favorite things about Sunday morning service is worship. I love being able to praise my Jesus in the midst of a crowd of others worshipping too. I love worshipping on my own too, but I find that there is something unique about corporate worship and I love it.

As it is the first Sunday in December I was expecting a Christmas song.
I was not expecting Oh Holy Night. Which is one of my favorite Christmas songs ever, if not my total favorite. Even more surprising was the inclusion of the often neglected second verse. (I've bolded the parts that I especially appreciate)

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Behold your King.
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.


Then Pastor John shared about Abraham and Isaac and the call to sacrifice Isaac. I have never heard it put in such terms but today Pastor John said the God called Abraham to "sacrifice his laughter" For some reason this made me ponder the story/situation in a new light.


After church there were some emotional lows and I almost let myself drag myself into a state of emotasticness by allowing all the craziness around me to get to me. But I decided to shake it off and went and had a yummy lunch with my good friends including Brian and Becca who I miss a lot, and can't wait for everyone's finals to be over so it can be winter break.

Then I went to church and helped with the Christmas Movie Party. I think it was fun and amazing. One little girl kept hugging me, and although I don't know her, I think her mom knows people from the church. She was absolutely adorable though. My No touching of the Stacey rule really doesn't apply to most people I know, I think I am becoming more comfortable with hugs, because I didn't freak out that a strange child came and hurtled herself around my neck. The little girl made me ponder some things, but those things are best left internal for a bit. I think.

After a while I was getting cold and Nicky needed a break from her game so Jason took over for her and Nicky took over my game which was the lollipop tree game. So I went and sat by the sound equipment and waited for the movie. Then Nate was playing a slideshow from convention and a horrific picture of me comes on the screen and I was like Nate, Don't use funky pictures of me and he just laughed at me, and then some boy who I don't know was standing there watching the screen and was like hey that is that Girl right there pretty loudly. WHich made me groan and Nate laugh even more. Thankfully it was busy enough that I don't think anyone heard him. I hope.

Then Denise and I went out and discussed general shenanigans and some interesting plans for the new year. Which I will hopefully be unveiling to my adoring public (LOL That's You Guys!) on December 31st, just a few short days away.

So the day went from average to amazing, to ponderable, to horrible to good and fun. It felt very yoyo ish. In the midst of it all I am fighting off Asthma-y issues. I don't think I am sick sick, but my lungs are wheezy and I've been coughing. and my eyes and nose have been allergyish. It may be because I let Maggie sleep in my bed the other day, ignoring the fact that I am allergic to dogs and cats. They (the allergies) aren't usually this annoying though.

Tomorrow I have a presentation on the Monument to the Historic Defenders of Leningrad in my humanities class. I get to use photos and experience from my trip. But I need to get the powerpoint done and write the paper. I am looking forward to this though. I LOVE Russia!

to do

I am either fighting off an allergy attack or the beginnings of a cold. I hope it is allergies!

Tomorrow morning is the West Region Library Holiday Breakfast. It should be interesting at least. Then there is school and more school.

Friday I have work and I need to work on my projects for class.

Saturday is work and doing stuff at church for the "Block Party" I think it is going to be a lot of fun and can't wait.

I also need to purchase at some point the sweatshirt and gift for the Rancho Santa Margarita kid.

Right Now I am exhausted and sleeping will make me feel better... So Goodnight!

What's with Today, Today?

So today was kind of full of win.

I went to school.

I guessed at an extra credit quiz and guessed right even though I hadn't even read the article. (She hadn't been able to get me a copy of it yet)

I studied for my midterm (and got some help from friends at home) And while I don't think I did fabulous, I think I did okay.

I went to work and had like 13 people show up for my toddler craft night.

I made the sample Venetian mask for my International Craft day on Friday. And it is really cute. I will try to put a picture of it up eventually. I <3 it!

And now I am getting ready for bed. I am so sleepy.

I haven't missed a day yet...

but I don't really have anything to say.

I highly recommend reading the book of Acts.

I am craving brownies.

I like to eat honey on my Chicken strips, nuggets, popcorn chicken ect. For some reason the combination of sweet with salty/spicy is yummy.

I am looking forward to church tomorrow. I love it so.

Well, after a few days of memes I think its time for a "real" blog. Yesterday I went back to work, It wasn't too bad. This morning was bad, but I went in anyway because we were short staffed. Thankfully it was quiet both days.

I have to go to Fresno next Saturday to work on my research paper. This would be exciting but I am so over school. I like 3 of my classes, and once I drop the one class, I will like all of them, but I think the pressure of deciding what to do next is getting to me. I am famous for hindering myself when I don't want to face something. The fact is, I don't want to think about what is next. I am kinda happy where I am now, and change is scary. Next semester I am taking classes on Film as History with one of my favorite professors who happens to be retiring next semster, and a class on Terror and Totalitarianism with another professor whose class style is amazing and learning doesn't feel like a chore in her classes.

Then I graduate. Hopefully I can figure out what to do next soon. But I do know that God moves in movement and that I need to do something.

My back is okay as long as I am in the middle of one of my well medicated periods. I am still super twingy in some positions but the pain is less sharp. I have been sleeping throught the night because of my muscle relaxer, it is amazing but makes me kind of groggy in the morning. My friend's uncle is a chiropractor and he said that depending on my xrays and what exactly is wrong, he doesn't know if he can help. But he is gonna take a look at my xrays when he gets back form vacation and see what he can tell me.

All of the comments on my one blog about offending someone humored me. I took the offensive part out and then forgot to change my disclaimer. Tomorrow will probably be a meme night or something else fun.

Back to School!

Tomorrow I go back to school.
This, as many people know, makes me happy.
I never thought that life would be the way it is right now, as I am entering my last year of my undergraduate education. Come May of next year, I will no longer be Stacey Atkins girl who is never going to graduate from college. I will have gotten a four year degree and will be off to seek my fame and fortune in other activities.
Right now I would love to be able to proclaim what they are, but in reality, I just don't have any clue what might be in store. Last year at thise time, I honestly couldn't have guessed that I would've done half of the things I have done in the last year, and would've laughed at you if you had told me I would do some of them.

I know that some people are still waiting for a full report on my trip, but I am still in a stage where I can tell you stories of what happened while I was gone, but I am still digesting the impact it had on me. I can declare, with no reservations, that I want to go back again some day. At least to Russia. I would also like to spend more time in Finland and in Denmark. Sweden and Norway were great and so was Estonia, but I really liked Finland and Denmark. I LOVED Russia! But this we already knew.

I am taking at least four classes this semester and although I am signed up for six, I feel that two of them will get dropped this week. I also need to figure out my schedule.

I am also starting a diet as of tomorrow. This is not because of my appearance, but for my back. I am still quite happy with the fact that I am so much smaller than I used to be, that my appearance doesn't bother me. But I know that losing more weight will be better for my back, and I want to help it out. Good news is that jalepenos have no points and since I have been craving them like a crazy person, which is weird because I don't like them usually, this is good. Also low in points is Golden Spoon, which I love.

I am going to try to blog more because in the midst of craziness, which is going to be the next four months, it help to have a place for decompressing...

So, that party was pretty fun. Back to that in a minute...

I just realized that I have basically just finished my first year of real college. I realize that Harbor College is a real college, but it just feels different. And I can't believe it. The last year has been one of the hardest, best, most exciting, insane years of my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Seriously.

I have learned more about myself in the last year than I even thought was possible.

I truly believe that this year was a God thing. I was trying to explain it to Denise earlier, and I know that I have tried to explain it here before, but it is just so insane that this year has gone the way it has, and all of the things have worked together just so. As of 1pm Monday I will have completed 90+ units making me a senior. As of July 11th I will have completed units equivalent to my first semester as a senior. INSANE!! Everyday there are little things that just reinforce my belief that this is God's plan for me. Today I came home to a forwarded CC email to someone else on campus from one of my professors who is trying to get me signed up for a program on applying to grad school. This professor has gotten me major hookups over the last year and I truly appreciate all of it.

So...Party Time...

It was fun. We had food and soda... No whisky or champagne, and still no cookies. Everytime they try to bribe us into coming to an event they promise us cookies, but none have ever appeared. We did have poppycock, which Dr. Fawver loves... And there was Dr. Pepper purchased with Chris in mind... I declared myself the Tsarina of the History Club, although I am sure that the title is incorrect... Oh Well... It was a lot of fun even though the boy that I wish I didn't have to listen to was there.

I am suoer sleepy though and need to pack before I go to work tomorrow because I am gonna be cat/house sitting for my couins while they are on a cruise to Alaska.

Well...

I keep promising a blog about deeper things than just school or work or Russia, and I really will keep that promise, but one of the deeper things that was imparted to me lately has shaken my worldview quite a bit and it bears some internal pondering before I blog about it.

So...
School:

Yesterday I did my presentation on my paper about homosexuals in the 1920s and 1930s. It seemed to go well. Several students asked me questions after my presentation and it did go a lot faster than I thought it would. Professor Stricker said that I did well, especially considering that I had the hardest topic to find sources on.

I got my midterm back from my Russia class. I am starting to worry a bit about my grade. I am fairly sure that if I am just a point or two shy of the A, I will still be seeing an A on my transcript, just because I know that has happened to others in the past. I have to get 24 out of 25 on my final for me to actually earn the A myself. It isn't impossible, but this semester I have been averaging in the 22-23 point range for all of my assingments. So I shall have to make sure to kick some post-Soviet butt on my final...

Today I have California History class and Theory and Methods of History. I find it interesting that the one class I was not looking forward to this semester (Theory and Methods) is one of my favorite classes. I actually really lucked out. Now that I dropped the Holocaust class, I love all of my classes. In Theory and Methods we are going to be watching The Sorrow and the Pity after class, today is the History Club Meeting, and hopefully elections because I need to get the paperwork turned in sometime in the next 2 weeks.

Tomorrow is Russia class as usual and then I am going to a lunch thingy with the professor I am going to be working for next semester. It sounds fun.

Thursday, I might be meeting with the Professor of the Russian class, but other than that it's just an average day....

Work: An ordinary week for once...hooray!

Russia: I am waiting for my passsport so I can send away for my visa. I started freaking out yesterday because I realized that the scariest part of this trip is going to be getting from the airport to the hotel in Moscow. I went on the contiki message boards and found out some interesting thing things about contiki. I am very much hoping to be on a tour with older (25-35) people and couples would be preferable. There is apparently a subsector of the contiki world who go on these tours just for the sexual escapades. There is a larger part of the group who go on these tours as international drinking binges. I am going to be friendly, but probably one of the more boring peope on the tour. There is also, if you are interested in the bathroom dynamics of touring with contiki an entire thread dedicated to "turds" I laughed quite a bit at all of the international terms for poo. Aussies come up with some of the best too.
I did read some trip reviews but they just changed my tour from a concept tour which is more of a camping type tour to a hotel tour, which means that most of the time, I will be staying in decent accomodations. The worst one described was in some city that I am not even sure I go to, and I have stayed in similar type places before (Anaheim anyone?) I am still excited even though there were some unhappy people. I read the travelogues of some people who went on the concept tour and they had fun and it seemed interesting. I especially found the log written by a history major to be helpful, although his area of interest is not Russia, so I am sure that the parts of Russia that bored him won't bore me... I am extra excited that we can break off from the group if we choose to. I won't in Moscow because I want to do all of the tour stuff, although I have been told that I should make an adventurous friend or two the first couple of days so that we can go looking for meals together. I have also been told that some of the cleanest bathrooms in Russia are in McDonalds. The Red Square McDs supposedly has 27 registers and 1500 employees.... There is apparently (according to wikipedia a Mac Wrap which is like a gyro made from hamburger patties) available in Russia (if I have to eat at McDonalds in Russia, and I think at least one meal is there) I'd like to eat soemthing I can't get in AMerica at least!

Oh wel.. I am off to school

How Distractable I am...

I was looking up a good title idea and got distracted by wikipedia...LOL

Today was an amazing day...

I booked my trip! Yay! (full details soon)

I got my shots, which makes me a responsible traveler. (and I didn't cry or freak out!)I am now immune from Tetanus for 10 years and Hepatitis A for forever I think (as long as I get the next shot in October)

I feel better than yesterday. I ate real food today!

I had a good day at school. (It is rare that I don't but I like it extra better when I do)

I have amazing friends. (Massive Props to Stacee who has agreed to take me to the airport at 4 am!)

I picked up some extra hours tomorrow...

I am really tired and have a long week/day ahead of me so I'll go for now...

Spinner's End

I went to a Spinner's concert tonight with Sarah. I was told I was going to a jazz concert. It was definitely not jazz. It was a pretty good concert, people seemed to be enjoying themsleves.

We ran into my friend Clara there. I love Clara. She is amazing! She sits through 4 classes a week with me and is still my friend. (A big deal for those of you who swear they will never take another class with me again. And she has done this for 2 classes each semester for two semesters.)

I also went to get an eye exam, my eyes aren't that much worse than they were last time, but there was a small change in my prescription. It just seems like they are really bad because I never wear my glasses. Now I can get glasses and be able to see!

Tomorrow I am going to the Getty Villa in Malibu with Denise and some friends from school. This is the same trip that was supposed to happen last week but got postponed.

I am waiting for a final email with totals for my trip and I should be booking it during the next week or so. I am really excited and really scared at the same time. But I just feel that now is the time, and that I am not going alone (I'll be in a tour) and more importantly, Jesus is going with me and He's all I really need anyhow. But I feel that this trip is going to be a catalyst for a paradigm shift, and I am excited to see how my worldview is going to shift with this new experience. More actual fun details after I book my trip...


(yay for those who realize that many of my title's have a theme)

Super Fast Redux

So, tonight was the seder at church. It was interesting... I have good friends... Jesus is amazing... I am exhausted... more details tomorrow maybe, or Sunday...might be mondy before I actually have time for some deep reflection... Super busy this weekend...

Nestle's Quick

I found out from my professor today that she got the grant that she applied for and that means that I will officially be her research assistant next fall. I am really excited because this is an excellent opportunity for me, and will look great on my CV (which is a fancy sort of resume).

I have the first day of my training for the new computer systems at work tomorrow, and I hope it isn't super lame.

I helped out for a little bit at church tonight with Helping Hands. It is always amazing to see just what God can and does do through that ministry. There were 69 families that were given food this evening. And it always amazes me how there is always just enough food. Some guys brought in a bunch of bread tonight, and that helped out immensly.

I played Skip-Bo at the Dreilings house tonight. It was a lot of fun. As usual I lost, but I always have fun playing games.

I hope to have definite plans for Russia within two weeks! LOL!

I have been having some random spiritual insights, and once I get them sorted out, I might post.

I am really tired and I need to go to bed, so I'll sign off for now.

A Long Day!!

Today was very long. But also a lot of fun.
My midterm was pretty stressful and I don't think I did super good, but it is over hooray!

I had a good beginning of the history club meeting, but I did find out that the next meeting needs to be rescheduled already because there is a departmental shindig that at least three people who are involved in the club have to be at.

The film festival was pretty interesting. It was about racism in employment in France.

I am now home and am looking forward to being in bed soon. Tomorrow is the Honors Convocation and I will post all about it tomorrow!

I promise a blog about more than just schedule stuff soon...