Friday, April 28, 2006

I've known that my top two love languages are quality time and words of affirmation. So for those of you who are unaware of what this book/author is trying to portray is that I feel most loved when I get to hang out with the people that I care about and care about me. Whether we do an activity, have a great conversation, or do absolutely nothing, just being with them makes me feel filled up.

Then I've examined what introvert and extrovert mean. I am considered an introvert because I get most of my energy when I am by myself. Like when I get home from being gone all day, I need some time just to myself so that I can relax and think before I am able to go jump into a coversation or hang out with people.

These seem like polar opposites to me. How can I feel loved by being with people, yet need time away from people to get my energy?

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Eric and Kathy

I was so looking forward to today because when I get the chance, I love to go down to Chi town to get my hair done (it's way cheap). With a wedding to go to in May, I wanna look good. And I felt ultra cool when I saw in the newspaper that the salon I've gone to for years on Oak Street is the same one that cut Joe Crede and A.J. Pierzynski's hair last week (A.J. is on the right).

So I set out on my journey bright and early at 7:15 a.m., you never can predict how long it will take you in rush hour. As soon as I got on the highway it was nothing but traffic. Traffic annoys me to no end. I hate it. I don't get it, especially if there isn't an accident. AHHHH!!!!! While I sat and sat I was listening to Eric and Kathy on the Mix. Back in the day when I taught I would tune into them and remember getting a few chuckles from them.

Let me tell you, Eric and Kathy made my morning. Considering that the drive took a little over an hour and a half, it felt only like a few minutes. They made me laugh out loud, one guy looked over at me and gave me a weird look. That made me laugh even more.

As I recall what they talked about on the the air, nothing seemed totally funny. Eric and Kathy discussed: their trip to Puerto Rico and this guy named Jungle Jefferson who also attended the trip and got a brazilian wax (OUCH!!); Melissa, a cohost, who can sleep anywhere and through anything; an actress on the show "Lost" who was pulled over for driving under the influence and is choosing jail time over 240 hours of community service. As you can read, not super funny but both radio hosts have a way with words and telling stories that captured my attenion. I am going to attempt to tune in more often!!

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Impressive

As a more recent, consistent watcher of the TV Show "24" I have to say that I am continually impressed by it. The writing and producing is remarkable. I am amazed that each episode I watch I am continually on the edge of my seat, nervous, and surprised at the twists and turns.

Major props go to the whole "24" crew.

Oh, and how does Jack never: run out of bullets, get shot, or cell phone die from low batteries? (I am surprised that this unrealistic part, doesn't bother me)

Monday, April 24, 2006

Could I ask for anything more?

Ok, so what a great weekend! Two days spent in Chicago. Two White Sox Games. Two wins.

The weather was picture perfect, high 60s with a slight breeze and the sun shining down. On Saturday, I went to the White Sox game with my oldest brother Mark, and on Sunday I went with my dad. Before the games we got really cheap food from this "hole in the wall" street vendor and ate our to go meal in a park that faced US Cellular Field. What a great site, kids playing in the park, dogs running around crazily, families picnicing.

As we walked into the stadium it was great to see so many fans in Sox gear and everyones enthusiasm was contagious!

When the White Sox players were introduced, ACDC was playing in the background and then you hear these amazing words "And these are your 2005 World Series Champions". Chills just run right through you. What a moment!!!!!!!

Both games were so exciting to watch! Highlight #1 was when Dye hit a 3 run homer in the 1st inning, great way to start off! Highlight #2 were the homers by Uribe (he had 2) and Anderson. I like to see the less publicized players and underdogs get some attention.

Also, the great smell of grilled onions and ballpark food was an added bonus. Oh and being able to see Lake Michigan from our seats was awesome too!

Can't wait to go again!

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Thanks for the info on the cupcakes!!!!

It has been a GREAT week for cupcake ordering! I hope this continues.

I saw 2 movies this week "She's the Man" and "Lucky Number Slevin". "She's the Man" was suprisingly laugh out loud for me. "Lucky Number Slevin" was interesting, unique, and I am still trying to sort it all out.

Favorite song of the week: "Kick Drum" by G Love and the Special Sauce

Back to Easter, "The Epic (it is found under sermons)" (I am one of the narrators) that I was involved in was amazing. I was a bit skeptical, but with the music building and the drama getting more intense there were a few times that chills went through my body. So powerful!

I can't wait to go to my first Sox game of this year tomorrow!

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Marriage

The more and more I talk to people about marriage the more I am fearful. It amazed me when I heard years ago that the divorce rate was 50%, but as I've gotten older I understand how easily that can happen. Marriage is a LOT of work. It seems like it is an ongoing work in progress. The sad thing is, many couples put on a happy face in the midst of horrible circumstances. Why is marriage portrayed as some glorious, everything will be wonderful when you tie the knot, when that might not be true. Don't get me wrong, I do want to get married, but I think I am more aware that this union is a lot of work and requires a lot of honesty, trust, good communication, and patience.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Help!

First, to all my St. Patrick's Day people, are we going to reunite to use those free appetizer coupons?

Secondly, I am trying to figure out a name for my cupcake business. A list has been started but nothing has caught my attention...YET! So I am asking all you creative genuises to help me come up with a name for this new business.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Bizarre Easter

1. My friend Erin started working at Starbucks recently. Just the other day she was manning the drive thru orders. She took a customers order and then told her to just "hop around to the window for the total." When the woman pulled up she said to Erin, "how did you know that I only have one leg? I actually do hop around the house at times." (Whoops)

2. This is just down right cheezy. Another Starbucks customer said to Erin, "I hope this drink resurrects you." What the hell was the guy talking about? Just because it is Easter doesn't mean that you need to incorporate the word resurrect into everything.

3. For Easter Sunday, I am involved in a dramatic narrative. I am really excited to see how it goes, I think it could be very powerful and I just pray that people realize the amazing truth of this event and find hope in the midst of their circumstances.

4. Tomorrow is finally when my little brother (Matthew) and sister (Ashley) will find out that our family is taking a trip to Disney World. We have had this planned for over a month and it has been hard to keep it from them. We are going to hide easter eggs, which have clues in them. Once they are all found, Ashley and Matthew will have to unscramble the clues to discover that we will be heading out to "the magical land".

Saturday, April 15, 2006

CHI-Town

I absolutely love the city of Chicago. Having lived there for 4 years there are definite days that I miss being down there, like today. The weather was amazing and to just hang out down there and do nothing would have been great and of course I would have to get some people watching in. (There are other times that I do not miss the city: the chaos, sirens, and the hustle and bustle.)

This spring/summer I am SO EXCITED to be able to spend time in Chicago. Last year I missed out since working and being in school full time. Here are some of the things that I cannot wait to do:

-hang out at Navy Pier and listen to bands play
-walk around and shop
-go to some White Sox games
-rent a quadracyle (one of those bikes with people in the front pedaling and a bench in the back with a canopy overhead)
-Taste of Chicago
-watch a free movie in Grant Park
-see a fireworks show

Oh there is so much to do and see, this is only the beginnning. I can't wait!!!!!!!!

Friday, April 14, 2006

Boys

Why are there always more single girls than guys in the church or in fact in any arena? It must be nice to be a guy!

Ok, so at least 2 days a week I watch 4 awesome boys. I love these little guys to pieces!!! We have such a fun time together, whether we just hang out and play games (even though one day I played Candy Land 12 times), chase each other around the house, go to the park, or just hang out at the mall. There are 2 funny stories that made me laugh so hard.

So these amazing boys are Jordan (age 10), Taylor (age 6), Dylan (age 5), and Kode (6 months). One day I walked into their house and Dylan was running around in his whitie tighties. He loves to be naked. So as I am talking to him and his father, his dad says "Dylan, you have a hole in your underwear, you need to go change them." Dylan's response was, "Dad, that is because Taylor wears these and he scratches his butt."

Story #2: There is something about little boys talking about and touching their private parts. I don't get it but whatever. So Taylor and Dylan were goofing around and Taylor punched Dylan where it counts. Dylan comes to me and says "Ms. Gina, Taylor touched my privacy." It took me a few times to get what he was saying. I guess your private parts are your privacy.

I know reading these stories is so different than experiencing them, but I hope you at least got a chuckle out of them as I did!

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Movie Interests

Here are 5 movies that I am very excited to go see. They are in no particular order. Links provided.

1. The Sentinel

2. Lucky Number Slevin


3. The Break Up

4. Mission Impossible 3


5. Thank You for Smoking

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Finally sun and warmth

Could the weather get any better than today! I think this is my absolute favorite temperature (60s/70s). This afternoon I was able to lay on the couch with our patio door open, the sun beating down on me, the birds chirping away, and a breeze blowing in. I loved every second that I laid there.

The other great thing that I get so excited for with this weather is being able to drive my new car, a silver Scion TC (pics will come later). This is the first time that I have ever had a new car, even though I got it last summer, I still feel like it is very new. I want to just fly in it with the windows down, the moonroof open, and music blasting.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Well today was a big day...my cousin's wedding shower. In our immediate family we have not had many weddings so getting together and seeing some family members was going to be a trip. As I talk to my friends about their family, most of them were really close with their cousins and what not, but not us. It seems at times there is a family "frustration" (not feud).

Sometimes I would like to just smack my cousins upside the head and knock some sense into them. We usually only see each other at Christmas, but I feel that I always have to be the bigger person to say hello and start a conversation with any of them. Why? I would have thought that since they are in college now, they would gain some social interaction skills, but apparently not.

There were over 50 people at this shower (70 were invited). What? Are we talking a shower or a small wedding? It was held at a relatives house, which there was not enough room for everyone to be in one room. They rented chairs and I felt like I was in a church all lined up in rows watching the "bride to be" open her gifts. I swear that with all those people and gifts, all she got were kitchen items. It was hilarious, no sheets for the bed, no towels for the bathroom...just more and more spatulas and muffin pans.

And then, my cousins dad and2 brothers were there. I can understand if the "groom to be" was there but what was up with the other dudes? Also this family has 3 dogs. So while people were chatting and gifts were being opened, there were 2 dogs hanging out upstairs and they were trying to escape and one dog stuck in the basement scratching at the door to get out and once he did get free. I felt like I was at a zoo, oh yeah I was because they also have 2 cats and a bird.

It was just a unique shower and not one that I have ever experienced. Not to be too rude, but it felt a little white trashy.

I guess I didn't realize how annoyed by the shower I really was until writing this. Am I just being a bitch for liking things done classy?

Sunday, April 09, 2006

IF...

If you could suddenly possess an extraordinary talent, what would it be?

If you could have chosen your own first name, other than your current one, what would it be?

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Psalters

I just came back from a concert and I am not sure what I think. A friend of mine asked a few of us to go check out this band. Why not, I am always open to new epxeriences. She informed me that they definitely are different...and that they were.

Before the show we all cooked and ate dinner together and listened to some of their songs. They had a tribal and earthy tone. I was very skeptical from what I heard.

Usually when I first hear new music I need to listen to it a few times to see if it's my style. That is the great things about it, is that you judge on what you hear not on what you see.

So we show up to the concert and here is what I see:
-8 band members
-a huge black school bus (which I find out all of them live on it)
-they look like hippies (clothes and smell)
-they had war paint on their faces
-very talented artists-some played 3-5 instruments
-a wide variety of instruments

The music in a weird way was political. Some I thought was fine some I just didn't care for. Some of the songs I didn't have a clue what they were about-eventhough they had the words on teh screen. I saw people worshipping God in all sorts of ways, but I just wasn't feeling it. Then again like I said before it takes me a bit of time to adjust and understand music.

One thing I really did like is their emphasis on the urgency and need to worship God. And...I think that they are better in concert than just listening to their CD.

Check them and their music out...the psalters.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Librarian for a day!?!

Before I begin, I heard tonight on Leno that Tori Spelling has a wardrobe designer for her dog.
Are you kidding me?

Moving on...
So 6:45 a.m. my phone rings this morning. The school I previously taught at was calling because they needed me to sub. If I can, I usually jump at this opportunity because I love seeing the kids that I taught. There is something about seeing their smiling faces and receiving their hugs that just warms my soul.

Then I found out I wasn't teaching, but I would be the librarian. If you know me you are aware that I am not a fan of the library. It is way too quiet and I unfortunately do not enjoy to read (that doesn't mean I don't). So I stay away from libraries. There are times I need total silence, but usually I prefer interaction with people or music playing in the background.

The day in the life of a school librarian was really fun-yes I said fun. The best part was that I was able to interact and catch up with not just one class of students but an entire school of them. I am a very organized person and like to plan things so to check books in and out was no big deal and I felt like I was accomplishing something. The reshelving part was the pain!

Who knew I'd enjoy being a librarian for a day?

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Money

Let me just give you a little backgroud. When growing up (starting in 7th grade) I had to purchase everything for myself from clothes, to gas for the car, to going to the movies...So from a young age I have been very self sufficient and cautious with my money since I have worked hard for it.

Then there is my family and how they received monetary gifts. Well they would receive them, but then felt like they would have to repay that person in someway (there were ridden with guilt it seemed) whether it was by giving the gift back or giving it away or doing something in return for the person who gave them the gift.

Has there been a time where you have found the perfect gift for one of your friends or your spouse or a family member? Weren't you just so excited about the gift and couldn't wait to give it to him/her? Did you ever think about getting anything in return? Usually when I have done this I can't wait to give the gift so that I can see their expression and excitement.

Well as some of you know I quit my job at the end of December and I am on the hunt to find the next step in life for me. So in the mean time I am just doing odd jobs to get by, like babysitting, starting up a cupcake business, and doing some catering.

I find it funny that God is working on this area in my life (money) right now because 2 things happened within the last week in regards to this. First, a family whose child I taught called me and said they had a gift for me. I was absolutely blown away by the amount. Shocked. Mouth to the floor. Then today I had to pick up something from a family who I had made cupcakes for. I donated these cupcakes for this event to get my name out there and was just so excited for the opportunity. Well this lady decided to give me a gift card because she was so appreciative. Again, I was overwhelmed. All I could say was thank you and she said, that she just wanted to do that.

I am learning that when people give you a gift it is because they want too, not because they have too and all I need to do is say "Thank You"!

Tuesday, April 04, 2006



Today was just an ordinary day, no specific agenda. As I reflect upon the day, it was a really great day. Here is a little glimpse:

-the fresh smell of clean crisp sheets I put on my bed

-spending most of the day with one of my dearest friends, Erin

-getting down and dirty with Erin and just sharing what is really going on in our lives, there is nothing better than honesty and support from your friends!

-having McDonalds for lunch

-getting a few phone calls to line up babysitting jobs for this week (good news since I am jobless)

-finding great deals at Crate and Barrel Outlet

-purchasing an espresso machine from Starbucks for my family (I find this funny because no one in my family drinks coffee except for my sister-in-law)

-babysitting these four amazing boys; the younger ones (five and six years old) love playing poker, but tonight we added a twist. if you won the bet you had to come up with a dance. there was a ton of laughter, it was great!

-watching the NCAA game with my dad and brothers

-laughing my ass off watching Christopher on "The Tonight Show". he is an 8 yr. old inventor, he was a nut!!

I wonder what tomorrow will hold!

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Working Out

First off, GO WHITE SOX!!!!

Moving on...


Ok, so for the past 6 weeks I have begun the ever dreaded movement of the body...working out. Who really enjoys doing this? I find it humorous when people say "yeah, I'm at the gym like 6 days a week and it's great". Are they being arrogant or just psycho about their body...and how can they think it is great?

Well I do have to say that up until about a week ago, I did not look forward to exercising. I mean I would go, but not willingly. Now I can actually say that I enjoy walking on the treadmill (and seeing my speed increase) and lifting some weights. I do feel better too!


While at the gym there is a must have for me. I either have to watch something very entertaining on TV so that I am distracted or listen to some great music. There is something about music that just gets me totally pumped, the blood rushing, and the adrenaline kicking in. It helps me to endure a little longer.

I can recall working out in college and the song that motivated me the most was "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba. At this point in my life I don't think I'd mind hearing that song maybe once a year, but I can't even begin to imagine listening to that on a weekly basis to motivate me. Oh how times change.

One night one of my roommates and I were driving home and decided to go through the IPOD and listen to songs that "pump" us up while working out. Not only do they get us going while exercising but there was a bunch of dancing going on in the car that night! Here are some of the ones we were listening to:

"Air Force Ones" by Nelly
"Young'n" by Fabolous
"My Humps" by BlackEyed Peas"
"Outta' Control" by 50 Cent
"Feel Good Inc" by Gorillaz
"Raise Up" by Petey Pablo
"Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money
"Walkie Talkie Man" by Steriogram
"Bust a Move" by Young MC

What has you moving to a different beat?






Laughter



There is nothing better in life than to laugh. It is such a good feeling to have a sore stomach and cheeks that hurt. Laughter is refreshing for the soul! Here are some of my recent things that I have found funny:

1. The new Ashton Kutcher commercial which is promoting "Punk'd"

2. Jay Leno's headlines

3. Cupcake flavors that my friends have come up with for me to make (this goes out to my homies that hung out with me tonight)

4. Ellen's dancing at the beginning of her show.

5. Jay Leno's 99cent buys

6. People saying that I look like Dora the Explorer (do I really? I can say "hola" and "arriba", but other than that I think those our only similarities)