The Blog of Annie Petersen

New Blog

2009-07-08T16:35:00.001-07:00

I finally did it. I finally made a new blog... here it is:

www.annieepetersen.blogspot.com

Amber Baker, I must love you.

2009-01-09T10:55:00.000-08:00

Just for you, Amber, here are seven more random facts about me.

1. I really hate the feeling of make up on my face, so I rarely wear it. If I'm going somewhere where I feel like I must wear make up, the second I get home I usually wash it off.

2. My feet are always cold. It doesn't matter if I'm wearing socks and Ugs, and sometimes it doesn't even matter if I'm wearing 3 pairs of socks and my Ugs, my feet are still cold. weird- I know.

3. I eat grapefruit weird. I like to cut it like It's an orange and eat it that way, instead of eating it like most people do.

4. Scarves are my favorite accessory... ever.

5. I'm a camel when it comes to water. Whenever I go out to eat with Drew or friends, my water glass probably gets refilled about 9 times. And, not like the waiter or waitress keeps topping off my glass, it's usually like I drink the whole glass and they come fill it all the way up again.

6. Whenever it rains, if I'm home by myself, I have to watch You've Got Mail, or Sleepless in Seattle.

7. I love breakfast. I could eat donuts, pastries, muffins, and bread for every meal for the rest of my life and be happy. I probably won't, becasue I think that my self control is a little better than that, but I would sure like to!

Resses Pleasses!

2008-11-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

Last night Drew and I didn't have any plans, which rarely happens. I feel like we're always going somewhere, doing something, or meeting someone. I love staying busy like that, but every once in a while its nice to have nothing planned. So, after dinner we decided to go to the grocery store and get stuff to make gingerbread houses!

Well, my husband is... amazing. He's one of those people that you love to hate becasue they're so dang good at everything. But I don't hate him for that... he's my hero. His gingerbread house (which we actually made with graham crackers becasue it's cheaper, easier, and in my opinion more delicious) was incredible. I am biased when it comes to my husband, becasue he's my favorite, but his ginger bread house was truly amazing. It looked like an architect had made it. Just look at the dimensions that house has!

I was too timid to try anything fancy, but I liked mine becasue it had a reeses pieces roof and a Christmas tree out in front.

Yes, yes, I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet... but it's Christmas time in the Petersen house!

A good omen for the day

2008-11-25T06:48:00.001-08:00

Today is going to be a great day... why? Well, I just finished the laundry and every sock had a pair! Hooray!

HGTV is my ESPN

2008-11-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

Sunday is lazy day at the Petersen home. After two services at church, meeting with friends afterwards, and running errands, we're usually ready to get home and crash. Today that meant laying in front of the TV in our pajamas. My favorite.

As Drew was flipping through some channels he passed by HGTV (Home and garden channel) and Design on a Dime was on. I told him that I hated that show because I am usually so disappointed in the outcomes of the rooms. I yell at the people and say things like, "Why would you do that!" and "OH come on... that was HORRIBLE!" and "You can do better than that, don't let me down!" Like a guy would yell at the quarterback for throwing an interception. I bet if someone wasn't watching TV with me, but they could hear me yelling they might put money down that I was watching some kind of sport.

Now I can understand why guys get so into sports. But for me, it's not a football team that I get worked up over. It's depressing seeing such great rooms lose to such awful designers.

Note: There are some shows that I love on HGTV. Quite a few in fact, and those are the designers that I cheer for and get excited about watching in action.

I never thought I would see the day...

2008-11-18T07:18:00.000-08:00

Today, on Martha Stewart, Snoop Dog was her guest. Seriously. I would bet that even the best story teller in the world, would never even think to put those two in the same story... let alone be the same kitchen.

Snoop dog... on Martha Stewart?

The hood vs. the Hampton's...
The rebel vs. the traditional...
The gangsta vs. the cupcake...
The bling master vs. the cashmere queen...
Fried Chicken vs. Grilled Chicken with Kumquat-Lemongrass Dressing...

Like a train wreck, I watched- in complete fear- as Martha and Snoop made mashed potatoes.

They pealed the "ski-zins", talked about his posse, learned some vocab words that Snoop said were "essential to sound cool in da hood." Oh, and my favorite part? They talked about his new Christmas Album, featuring songs such as Santa Clause goes strait to the ghetto, Christmas in the Ghetto, and Party 4 da Homies. I looked this up becasue I thought he was kidding. But, I should have known better. I would like to be in the car with Martha or making mashed potatoes with her, when she listens from the beginning to the end of Snoops entire Christmas CD. I'm not sure what she would say or what would happen... but I am pretty sure I wouldn't want to miss it.

Also, I started keeping track of how many times Snoop asked what they were making. And, in 10 minutes Martha had to remind him 12 times that they were making mashed potatoes*.

The rest of the show wasn't worth watching, becasue I think that Martha is awkward, and I like her magazine much better... but I just couldn't change the channel while snoop was in her kitchen.

* This is why you shouldn't do drugs.

Thanks Alyssa...

2008-11-04T04:57:00.000-08:00

So I'm not a huge fan of being tagged, but I am a huge fan of the lovely lady who tagged me, Alyssa Maine, so I will set aside my selfish desire to not blog and I will blog.

Ok seven random facts about myself...

1. I never sneeze just once. Never. My sneezes almost always come in two-zies... but I do remember sneezing nine times in a row once. I know, pretty impressive.

2. I know every single word to these Disney soundtracks: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Sword in the Stone, and Aladdin. Also, as a side note, I still love watching all of these movies. Drew say's that it doesn't bug him when I sing along, but I have a feeling that my tone-deafness will get to him over time.

3. I would rather wear pajamas. I love shopping, LOVE IT, maybe more than I should... but my favorite thing to wear is pajamas.

4. I think the man on the Quaker oatmeal box is creepy. I don't know what it is about him, maybe his hat, or scary smile. But, I'm pretty sure that if I was ever living my worst nightmare he would be hiding in my closet... I just got shivers thinking about how scary that would be.

5. I can't go to sleep unless I am surrounded by pillows. More specifically, I can't sleep without my body pillow. I've had it for a few years, and it looks worn and pathetic, but I'm addicted. You can't judge a pillow by it's outside... it's the coziest thing I own.

6. I love Seattle. I love the weather and I love that you can walk everywhere, or take the bus. One day I would love to live in Seattle and own my own little coffee shop that Drew and I live above. *sigh*

7. I have to have coffee everyday.

So there you go, seven random facts about me. If it's ok, I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you would like to be tagged... consider yourself tagged.

Bob vs. Barack

2008-08-28T04:50:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting here watching Good Morning America and I've never been one totally into politics, but my husband is... and they just said something that caught my attention.

I know that I should be better at watching McCain and Obama speeches, but honestly I'm just not. If Drew is watching something on line or on TV, most of the time I'll tune in too, but I would never be the one to go searching on line or look up TV times of important speeches. Not becasue I don't care... but becasue I now have a Husband who can fill me in on the majority of what's going on.

Anyways, back to Good morning America. Diane Sawyer (who I happen to think is really cute) started talking about how lots of people are wondering if Obama is nothing more than a good actor. They played numerous tapes of him speaking with a teleprompter- he sounds incredible. Then they played tapes with him without a teleprompter-ridiculous. "Uh...um...uh...well uh...uh..."

Now, I'm not saying I would be incredible without any kind of help from Stage... I know I wouldn't. I would probably be giggling because I'm so nervous and mix up my words and say things like, "I want to be Pwesident to that I can hewp people". But on a more serious note Obama... if you have important things and issues that you want to bring up and are so passionate about, how come you can't talk about the without someone feeding you your lines? is it becasue you don't know what you're talking about...?

I have heard Obama say, "YES WE CAN!" numerous times... but apparently he CAN'T when he's off a teleprompter?

Someone who I like a little bit better who says "YES WE CAN" and follows through would be Bob the Builder.

Oh what's in a name...

2008-08-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

The past couple times that I have gotten on to blog, I have been bothered that my web address is anniesummers@blogspot.com, not anniepetersen@blogspot.com...

So today I decided I needed to finally do something to change it. And when I say that I'm going to change it... I really mean that my husband, who is amazingly savvy at amazing design, is going to make me a fabulous new site. Lucky me that he's so cool and nice and likes to do that kind of thing.

Anyways... stay posted. One of these days real soon I'll have a link to my new site!

Goodbye Summer...

2008-08-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well... it's been a crazy summer for Drew and I... and I'm so glad that fall is just around the corner. Jackets, scarves and all things cold weather really excite me. Especially since this will be the first winter that I have ever had that actually feels like winter. An eighty degree December will not be where I am this year. Nope... I will be in Louisville basking in the coziness of my little house eating chocolate chip cookies and sipping hot chocolate.

I just don't think I ever 100 percent fit into the California mold, and I am totally OK with that. I know that not everyone does these things, but I'm not a fan of Christmas lights and ornaments on palm tree's, snowmen made out of sand, a fire in the fireplace when it's not cold enough outside for a fire... or pictures of surfing Santa's.

Really... who started that Santa trend anyways? Santa lives in the North Pole. I'm sure he knows what a surfboard is, because I'm sure he has put a few under some trees... but I'm pretty sure that he doesn't know how to ride one. He's old... fat... and knowing how to drive a flying sleigh is a big enough accomplishment for him. Santa does not surf. He's not that compliant. He's always seen wearing the same thing and since about the 4th Century he's been in the same line of work. I'm just pretty sure that Santa likes his gig and isn't at all interested in becoming a surfer bum. But that's just my two cents.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone who may have surfing Santa paraphernalia. I'm sure yours is great...

Preschoolers know everything...

2008-06-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

Here is what I learned form them today:

- Chips are really good for you.

- The sun is green, but sometimes it looks yellow (I feel like I'm a bad teacher for my kids to be saying this stuff so seriously.)

- Octopuses live in shells... and one particular octopus lives in a shell that is sitting on our bookshelf. Apparently I'm the only one that can't see it...

- All you have to do to stop thunder and lighting is snap your fingers.

- Strawberries live in Sophie's tummy.

- Penguins can be superhero's too.

All I know is that it's a good thing they informed me. I really am not sure how I survived before I knew these important details about life.

The shnozberries taste like shnozberries... no, not really.

2008-05-28T15:42:00.001-07:00

Today was my second day teaching preschool. And it was... crazy. I learned real quickly that fifteen little ones running around like a bunch of mad people, and not always using their listening ears, means that the perfect picture that I had painted in my mind isn't so realistic. Shoot.

After nap time today we painted with what I told them was magic paint (it was just some jello, water, and paint powder... but it was fun becasue it smelled so good!) We were painting pictures of strawberries, limes, oranges, banana's, blueberries and grapes. Super fun.

Then... I get the question I knew was coming- I had even prepped for how I was going to respond

Andrew: "Miss Annie... can we taste the magic paint? It smells good."
Me: "No Andrew, we can't. Magic paint isn't supposed to go in your mouth. It's for paper only... it doesn't taste good, and it's not good for you."
Andrew: "Well I bet it would taste good."
Me: "We're not eating the paint Andrew. Have you ever been allowed to eat paint?"
Andrew: "No... but I-"
Me: "You're not eating paint... and nether is anyone else."

Then Matthew, Andrew's neighbor, starts talking...

Matthew: "Would you die for it?"
Me: "Do you mean would eating the paint kill you?"
Matthew: "Uh-huh..."
Me: "No, but it's not good for your mouth or your stomach, so we're not going to eat it."
Matthew: "Oh, ok."

Annie: 2 Andrew & Matthew: 0

Until I hear...

"Miss Annie... Stephanie just ate some of the purple magic paint."

Now, really... I should have known better. Not only is Stephanie's favorite color purple, she also loves grapes and will put anything in her mouth. Including the dirt on the bottom of her shoe (not sure why). So I walk over to the table and...
..
Me: "Stephanie, did you eat some of the purple magic paint?"
Stephanie: "Um..."
*silence*
Stephanie: "Um... yes I did."
Me: "Did it taste really gross?"
Stephanie: "Um..."
*more silence*
Stephanie: "No...?" (she looked shocked, excited, and purple-due to the left overs on her face)

I didn't really know what to say. Jell-o without the sugar would be so nasty. Part of me wanted her to keep eating it to see if she would turn into Violet from Willy Wonka (like a big blueberry-but in her case a big grape). But, becasue I'm the teacher and responsible for her well-being and because part of my job is to make sure that no one goes home looking like a big grape that someone could roll down the hallway, I had to say something. So I said the dumbest thing I could have said...

"Really? I mean... of course it was gross. No one eat the paint."

Introducing my life as a preschool teacher...

I did it.

2008-05-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Normally a title like this would be fitting if I did something great... maybe accomplished something that I never thought I would ever do like run a marathon, eat a hundred hot dogs, or train my cat to use the toilet. Unfortunately... what I did was just a matter of time and neglect.

Today while I was doing the laundry one of Drew's dark brown socks accidentally got thrown in with a bunch of my whites... that I bleach. As much as I wish the story ended there, it doesn't. And, as much as I wish I could say that one little sock made it into the dryer happy and even more brown than before, I can't. I even wish that that I could say that one brown sock colored all my whites a nice beige color because I could just bleach them back again, but ... I can't.

I pride myself on doing laundry. And, I know that sounds silly... but I do. I have a very specific way of doing it and until now it's gone just peachy...

1. Let the water run
2. Put in soap while water is still running so that it gets mixed in equally
3. Put clothes in one by one to make sure that no darks go in with whites... and vise versa.

Anyways... I noticed when I was putting everything into the dryer what had happened. I don't know how I noticed it coming out but not going in. It was like the sock was staring me right in the face saying, "Look. Just look at what you've done to me. What's you're plan now Laundry Woman?"

Well... That one little brown sock is now a nice blend of brown, beige, and pink (not sure why pink...) tye-dyed (or should I say bleached) sock.

Fancy that. If I were that sock I'd be stoked. Tye dye is awesome... but maybe not if your other half is still "normal" if you will.

I hope that Drew can forgive me. We always have a hard time finding brown socks after I do the laundry... and now he's going to have one less pair. Unless, of course, he wants to try and start some kind of new trend. Which... I kind of doubt he will.

** Disclaimer: The socks at the top of the page are not the actual socks before the accident. Drew would not wear funny socks like this. They look like elf socks.

Dear Blake and Stephanie,

2008-05-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

Get excited. While we (Drew, Anna, Aubrey and I) were out tonight getting dinner, we stumbled across an incredible find. Dare I say the best new home gift anyone could ever hope to receive... seriously.

In case you aren't convinced right now here are some excellent reasons why this gift should make you jump for joy, and why all of your friends that come over will be jealous of this amazing creation and ask you where you bought it.

Reason #1: It's adorable
Reason #2: It reminded us of Blake
Reason #3: It's colorful so it could really go in any room of your house
Reason #4: It's very welcoming to new people who come into your home
Reason #5: It's an heirloom piece

So there it is. We know that you are in suspense thinking "oh man... when am I going to get this? I am so excited." But I'm sorry... you will just have to wait until Friday.

Love and warm wishes,
The Petersen and Anderson Families

I have never liked parades

2008-04-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

It's true. Not even the ones that I was in when I was little for whatever we had parades for, or the rose parade. Maybe that makes me unpatriotic... but I hope not.

Well today... as I was sweeping the kitchen I noticed my cat sniffing around next to the trash can. I figured that she just smelled the remains of last nights chicken so I shoo'd her away. A few minutes later she's back in the same spot... so I walk over and look down to what she's looking at.

ANTS. I hate ants. I think that they are SO annoying how they fit into everything... even the things I think are really well closed up and impossible to get into unless you have the fingers to open the baggie or whatever. And nothing grosses me out more than thinking about nasty little ants crawling into our food and using their dirty hands to take it back to more dirty little nasty ant hands to eat... sick.

Anyways, I thanked Beans for being the little detective that she is (yes, I do talk to my cat) and cleaned up all the ants. An hour later, I walked into the kitchen and saw a whole ant parade! WHAT? And it even had a couple other little creepy crawly bugs in it.

I don't understand. I killed their friends... why would they want to come back? There was NOTHING on the floor for them. I made SURE of that when I saw the other ones earlier.

Maybe I just need to train my cat to lick up all the bugs that she sees. Then again... you never know what an ant has been eating, and I don't want to feed my cat just anything. Plus, teaching beans to do something usually means showing her how to do it... and I am not about to start licking up ants.

Anyways... I have never liked parades... especially bug parades.

First things first...

2008-04-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

I realize, that for those of you who read my blog it has been more than a little while since I have written anything. But, instead of apologizing... since having a blog in now way promises it's readers that there will be daily updates, I will simply tell you that all updates on wedding stuff, marriage, living in Kentucky, and my insane cat... will be coming soon.

NOW. Since Anna (my new sister) tagged me... I have to respond to that first... I just think it's polite.

1. Ten years ago I was... just starting my first year as a 7th grader. I knew no one at my school, I was known for a hideous over-sized Eeyore sweatshirt that I wore everywhere, I was just told that I needed braces, and I thought about running away daily because of all of those things.

2. Things on my to do list today... paint the guest room, do some laundry, clean out our walk in closet so we can turn it into an office, get dinner ready for Drew when he gets home, and anything else that pop's up between those things. I know... my life is pretty exciting. You don't have to tell me that.

3. Things I would do if I was suddenly a billionaire...
- Pay off our house
- Go clothes shopping
- Buy another house out in Kentucky (preferably one across the street from us) so that when friends and family came to see us they would have their own privacy and place to stay... or just buy a big house so that everyone we know could have their own room when they came to stay with us!
- Open a camp for children with Downs Syndrome, give a chunk of money to our church's building fund.

4. Bad Habits...
- I pop my knuckles... and my thumbs... and sometimes my toes. Don't judge me...
- I'm a snacker. I eat little things all throughout the day and then when it comes time to eat a meal... I can't finish it.
- I bite my nails. Every once and a while I'll stop cold turkey and grow out my nails, thinking that this time I'm really quitting... then two weeks later I'm back at it. They need to come out with a patch for nail biters.

5. Places I have lived...
- Laguna Niguel, California (with my parents)
- Laguna Niguel, California (with Becky and Elizabeth- I know I really branched out huh?)
- Louisville, Kentucky (with my new husband. Hi Drew, I like you.)

6. Jobs I have now or have had...
- Build-a-Bear Workshop: My first job ever... and my most embarrassing too.
- Blue Sky's Salon and Studio: I was a party manager for children's birthday parties. I loved it... until the management started getting shady... then I peaced out.
- Pottery Barn Kids: I was a floor set design manager. I worked crazy hours, but I loved that job, and the discount wasn't bad either!
- J Crew: I was just a regular sales associate, but everyone I worked with was so much fun. The discount was amazing... but I never saw a paycheck becasue I spent it on clothes... it's a weakness.
- Being a wife: Not to copy Anna, but it's true. Being a wife is my favorite job yet! And... one day I will be a mommy... one day far Far FAR away from now.

7. Things people don't know about me (quirky things about me)...
- I can't sleep without my body pillow
- I'm deathly afraid of bugs... all shapes and sizes. ESPECIALLY grasshoppers (which, don't worry... we only have about a billion out here in Kentucky)
- I can't stand a top sheet on my bed because I get tangled in it and then freak out... so I only use a duvet. Maybe that's gross... but I like it.

8. Things that make my life superfabulous right now...
- Being married
- Getting to move away from home and make a bunch of new friends
- Being able to decorate a whole new house
- Having family come out in a few weeks!!
- That I get to see Drew everyday. If that's too mushy for you... I'm sorry... grow up.

I'm tagging my husband... because I'm pretty sure that he's the only one that still checks my blog. But, in case you're not my husband and you did just read this super long post... consider yourself tagged.

a week from today...

2008-03-02T21:45:00.000-08:00

My name will be Annie Petersen!

I'm so excited!

My cat Beans...

2008-03-01T21:54:00.000-08:00

So... I just got a new kitten.

Her name is Beans (named after my best friend Becky-who I call Beans). And, she's the CUTEST. She's the easiest cat ever and is just so So SO cute.

I just love her.

No thank you.

2008-03-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

Last night Elizabeth and I went to get a test run of my hair and make-up for the wedding.

The lady that was doing my make-up was a teacher at an estitition school, so I was sitting in front of a class while she explained everything that she did to her students. The girls in her class were watching very intently and every time the teacher would say, "Wow... that looks so great" they would all echo and say, "Oh yeah... totally." So of course I'm getting super excited to see what it looks like.

Then they let me look in the mirror.

OH. MY. GOSH… AWFUL.

Thank goodness it wasn’t the day of the wedding.

Here's what started going through my head, in no particular order...

- EW.

- Don't cry... don't cry...

- This is hideous

- I don't even recognize my face… I look like make-over Barbie… from the 80’s

- If this happened on my wedding day Elizabeth would have to distract people by tap dancing on stage while I try to redo my make up…

- I'm never coming back here

Somehow the "professional" doing my make-up managed to make me look worse in make up than when I walked into the room with no make up on at all. Not sure how that happens...

One of the girls in the class saw my reaction of pure horror and says, “Oh, I know that you’re not used to a lot of make up… but it looks great and the first time that your fiancé sees you step out into the isle, you’ll see that tear roll out of his eye and fall down his face because he’s going to think you look so great.” I smiled to be polite and also because I didn’t have anything nice to say in response. In my head I’m thinking, “No, if Drew were to see me like this he wouldn’t cry. Oh no… he would run in the other direction as fast as he could to get away from the circus clown who killed his fiancé and then put on her wedding dress.”

It was really… SO bad. I have lost all faith in people who do make up for a living. I’m just going to do it myself, and I’m so fine with that.

So, lessons learned...

- Don't always believe that the person doing your make-up has any clear understanding of what “looking great” is.

- Don't ever wear a neon shade of lipstick with matching eye shadow

- Don't ever just have a "make-up artist" show up on the day of your wedding without a trial run… EVER!

The Good, the bad, and the Kentucky.

2008-02-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

If you're still reading my blog... you deserve a hug. If the dates weren't posted on the blogs when I wrote them... I wouldn't even remember the last time that I blogged.

Therefore... Maggie... you're awesome. Thanks for still checking my blog. Sorry I don't have time to blog more frequently.

Anyways... as many of you know I'm moving to Kentucky. The day after the wedding Drew and I are packing up and headin' out. At first, I'm not going to lie, I was not excited about moving out to Kentucky. But, the more I think about it the more excited I get.

Obviously I'm incredibly sad to be leaving a place that I have lived all 22 years of my life, and all of my friends and family that live here. But, i figure that since I am moving I need to be thinking about all the good things out there in Kentucky.

Here are some great things about Kentucky:

- I get actual seasons! INCLUDING SNOW!
- I get to make more friends
- I get to explore a part of the country I really have never been before
- I will be stretching myself instead of staying comfortable in my little bubble
- I am going to be teaching summer school at an elementary school... and I am SO excited!

and last but not least...

- Drew lives there

I'm really hoping that one day Drew and I will move closer to family and I have always wanted to live in Washington or Oregon... but right now that's a ways off in the future. So right now I'm just focusing on the good things in Kentucky, and packing my bags (and boxes!)

Oh American Idol...

2008-01-15T22:01:00.000-08:00

I am convinced, one hundred percent, that half the people who audition for American Idol are just randomly walking by, see a line, and decide to stand in it.... and the other half are just crazy. Seriously.

Every year I think to myself, "How can these people get more out of control?" and yet every year the people who are auditioning out-do the weirdness of the year before.

Roommate Christmas #3

2007-12-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

Pictures are worth a thousand words, typically, if it's just your average photo. This picture however, I would say is worth about a hundred thousand words.

We bought some pretty Christmas dresses from the Salvation Army to take Christmas pictures in. Then, we were going to put them on a Christmas card to send out to our friends... this was put in the reject pile... but I just thought it was to good to not share.

This picture is incredible because none of us had any idea what the others were doing. I love that Elizabeth is licking an ornament, I'm totally not even looking at the camera, and Becky looks mad.

Pretty good. Pretty dang good.

I'm so excited to be getting married, but on the same token so, SO sad that I won't be able to live with Becky and Elizabeth anymore. They are the best roommates ever!

Monday's are my favorite

2007-12-10T16:50:00.001-08:00

Most people hate Mondays... I love them. Not only is it my day off I also get to go to Disneyland with Becky, make dinner with the roommates and then either play a game or watch a movie with them... sometimes both! How could it get any better than that?

I am so So SO blessed to live with two of my best friends!

It makes me happy when skies are grey...

2007-12-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

Becky and I did some Christmas shopping last night and every year when I am doing my Christmas shopping I always end up buying something for myself. I know that's not the point of Christmas shopping... but I felt like I could justify it.

Since I will be moving to Kentucky (where they had snow flurries yesterday-something unheard of in Southern California) and I do not have a lot of warm jackets. And more importantly, I do not have a lot of CUTE warm jackets (something that will be ABSOLUTELY unnecessary when I live in Kentucky) I felt like the jacket I saw should come home with me, and then one day move out to Kentucky with me... so I bought it.

Then today I woke up and put on my brand new jacket! Not very often when I wake up and put on a jacket do I get to wear it all day long... and today I did! I'm even still wearing it!

I love cloudy cold days! And I am going to love Kentucky!

Dear Kentucky,

2007-12-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

I like you.

I don't know if I love you (yet), but I sure like you. I like that you actually have seasons, and I like that you are cold during December- it makes me feel like it really is about to be Christmas time. I like you you are so green, and I like that sometimes you snow. I like that everyone is so nice, and I really like the amazing people watching that you provide.

Thanks for the nice stay and I'll see you again at the end of this month.

Your friend,
Annie

Thank you, KOST 103.5, thank you.

2007-11-26T19:45:00.001-08:00

Tonight, thanks to the KOST and Karen Sharp, I learned how to NOT to heat my house.

Bringing my BBQ inside and turning it on.

... Really? I had no idea. Thank you KOST for saving me from a burnt house this holiday season. I totally had my BBQ ready to just wheel inside if the temperature dropped just a few more degrees.

THAT was a close one.

Well... IT'S OFFICIAL!!

2007-11-24T16:16:00.000-08:00

I'm ENGAGED!! All the rumors that you might have heard... they're true!

And now I have a ring on my finger to prove it! On Thanksgiving day Drew Proposed...

Let's just say that it involved a surprise scavenger hunt, a lifeguard tower, fishing Asians, a close call on a parking ticket, and of course... A RING!

I can't wait to get married to the most amazing guy in the whole wide world!!

Irrational Fear #2

2007-11-11T04:39:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know me well, know that I have a couple irrational fears. My main irrational fear is flying grasshoppers, but I'm also totally afraid of parrots. Ridiculous...? Yes, I know, that's why I'm admitting it's irrational. But I'm still afraid of them. Their creepy voices, their gross looking beaks, and the fact that they can have a conversation with someone.... I'm getting the shivers just thinking about them.

A few weeks ago a new family moved into the place next to us. And guess what kind of pet they have? Yup, a parrot. But not just any parrot, a Spanish speaking parrot. The family is Hispanic, and so it would only make sense that their parrot would speak Spanish. I thought it was funny the first time I walked by their window and heard the bird speak a different language, but then i remembered that I'm totally afraid of parrots... then it wasn't funny anymore. Just creepy.

Boo creepy birds.

You're welcome Dad.

2007-11-08T23:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a while... I know. I'm not in denial of the fact that I have been the worst blogger ever... i get it.

So, tonight, to break my non-blogging streak, I decided to share with you something that I did.

My dad likes pictures of me. He likes having pictures of me around the house, and he even has one in his wallet. Adorable... I know. Anyways... tonight, I was over at my parents house on their computer and I decided to take another (as if he could ever have enough) picture of myself for my dad to have around the house:

Then I put it as his backdrop on his computer.

The little favors that I do for you... You're welcome dad.

Dear Elizabeth,

2007-10-30T17:46:00.001-07:00

Thank you for picking super cute bridesmaid dresses. Although I have never been in a wedding before, I have heard and seen some ridiculously hideous bridesmaid dresses. Thank you for loving us enough to not make us wear something like this:

Your friend and bridesmaid,
Annie

Soup-er Dinner

2007-10-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight, after debating back and forth with Becky about where we should go out for dinner, we just decided to go to Ralph’s and get stuff to make dinner. We walked around for a little until we ended up following our noses to this new section of Ralph’s that has AMAZING soups made and ready to be eaten. Little did Becky and I know that Ralph’s has the best chicken noodle soup EVER, and that four Hawaiian rolls (in a cute little package) only cost 69¢.

Best dinner ever.

Thanks Ralph’s. My tummy is very satisfied.

Thank you!!

2007-10-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

To everyone who planned and came to my surprise birthday lunch yesterday... THANK YOU! You made my day! It was so great to see all of you... I miss you all very much! Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to drive all the way down to Dana Point. I feel so loved.

Thanks for being my friends. I love you!

Burned out? or burnt out?... I don't know.

2007-10-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have been uber boring lately... and, I'm sorry. I just don't have a ton to blog about. Therefore, I can't promise when my next blog will be. I still love reading all of your blogs... I just don't know the next time that I will actually be writting my own. To everyone who blogs on a regular basis... cheers to you! I love reading your blogs!

Reasons that I love my job #3

2007-10-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

After an awesome meeting with Jake today about how we can reach more students in our community, we decided to take a break and play some guitar hero. Seriously, how many other jobs can you do that? Awesome.

The Good, the Bad, and the Horrible...

2007-10-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Right now Becky, Elizabeth and I are all laying on Becky's bed watching this cheesy show on TLC. It's uber bad, and even though the cheese factor is WAY over the top, I am sucked in... and Becky and Elizabeth are too.

Watching this show makes me think about all of the different commercials and TV shows out there. The good, the bad, and the horrible. So, I made a list, because I think that list's are fun. Which ones are my favorite (the good), which ones are dumb (the bad) and which ones are painful and make me want to change the chanel as fast as I can (the horrible).

The Good:
- The Office
- Gilmore Girls
- Ace of Cakes
- House
- GEICO commercials
- (most) Cingular commercials.
- Saturday Night Live
- Scrubs
- Full House
- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
- Quaker Chewy Granola Bar commercials
- America's Funniest Home Videos (minus all the cheesy comments)

The Bad:
- Eastwood Insurance commercials
- Judge Judy
- Chanel 8 at 10:00 in the morning
- Diagnosis X (what I am watching right now)
- What not to wear
- Charmin Commercials
- Jiff commercials
- Nair commercials
- Pimp my ride
- Celebrity Rap Superstar (see this)

The horrible:
- I love New York
- Bryman College Commercials
- The People's court
- Divorce Court
- Jerry Springer (midget's fighting? And brothers and sisters dating... really? common...)
- The Flavor of Love
- Fanta commercials (I can't handle the dancers)
- Gossip Girl
- Car dealership commercials
- Date my mom, Next, Room raders (pretty much anything on MTV...)
- Soul Train

Oh, and one more thing... Bad actors and over actors kill me.

Did I miss anything?

I love my friends...

2007-10-08T07:36:00.001-07:00

Last night a bunch of friends came over to my house. A lot of my friends I hadn't seen in a while. I don't have a huge place, so it was a little bit of a tight squeeze, but it was sure fun to have so many people over at my house at one time.

We all had dinner together, played some guitar hero, watched some football, and played catch phrase (which we might have woken up some neighbors with our yelling... woops).

I love friends.

I especially love the friends that even if you don't see them very often, when you do get together you pick up right where you left off, and nothing has changed at all.

To everyone who was there last night... you're awesome. I'm so glad that we're friends!!

What I learned from the office tonight...

2007-09-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

- Watch where you're driving in the parking lot
- Creed is the token creeper of the show
- Angela actually does have emotions
- When you park on top of old Indian burial ground you will be cursed
- If you trap a bat in a bag and put it over your head... you may get rabies
- Dundler Mifflin supports the rabid
- Squirrels are happy because they’re “insane”
- The key to running a successful marathon is drafting.
- You can ditch a 5K as long as your boss doesn’t see you
- Carbo-loading by eating Fettuccini Alfredo before you go for a run is not a good idea
- An $8 turquoise lamp makes a great trophy
- Sharing your sucker is a good way to make friends/ get rabies

Dear Jason Wahler,

2007-09-26T23:20:00.000-07:00

You are not a baller.
You can't rap, you don't have flow...
You don't have rythm, so you need to go.
You are embarrassing to watch, it's painful for my eyes...
It's like watching a trainwreck, it makes me want to die.
You're not even trying, you look like a fool,
Please, go back to rap school.

Just tryin' to keep it real,
Annie

p.s. I give lessons, but don't call me.

I can't teach rythym
I can't teach flow
It's something you're born with...
so get over it yo.

Guilty Pleasure #8256

2007-09-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Guitar Hero.

I just played for the first time, and I was horrible. But, it's the coolest game ever... and I'm getting better every time I play! My highest score was 89%, and that was to the tune of Message in a bottle by the one and only Police.

Thank you Police for providing such an amazing song on guitar hero for me to stum my heart out too. I love you.

What I should be doing right now...

2007-09-20T22:47:00.001-07:00

... is getting ready for bed. But, I just don't want to. I have an early morning tomorrow, but right now I'd rather be up watching TV with my roommate Becky. We're watching Ace of Cakes, and the guys on that show are seriously amazing with what they are capable of doing with some cake mix and frosting. Some of the cakes don't even look like cakes... like this guitar.

I think that would be a fun job...

Making cakes like this is totally on my list of awesome things I would love to do... but never will. I do not have the patience, nor the steady hands.

Cheers to you though, Duff... you're the man.

I'm definitely an Autumn Girl

2007-09-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

I was talking to my friends Randy and Kim today about how I have really liked the weather lately because it's been cooler than the weeks before. It's not cold, but definitely cooler.

For some reason, every year, I get surprised that it's never cold enough in September to be wearing sweatshirts, jackets and fun scarves. Every year I trick myself into thinking that once September rolls around it's going to be cold enough for that... but nope.

I can't wait for it to get colder and be able to wear scarves... they are one of my favorite things about autumn and winter!

I got tagged... twice.

2007-09-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

Brent and John tagged me... at the same time. So instead of doing two (since that would be ridiculous and repetitive) this is my response to both tags. I thought that maybe I would cheat the system and respond with 6 words instead of just 3, but when I tried that it was a lot harder to come up with 6 words, rather than only 3. I also figured that would be inconsiderate considering not everyone is as popular as me and gets tagged by two people at the same time like I do... I'm totally kidding.

Thanks for tagging me Brent and John! Here are my responses!

I have to use 3 words to answer each question. No more, no less. It's harder than you think!

Christine and Alyssa tag you're it!

1. Where is your cell phone? on my lap
2. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend (or husband/wife)? Don't have one
3. Where is one of your parents? Probably teaching math
4. Cheesecake? Oh, Yes Please!
5. Your favorite thing to do? See my friends
6. Your dream last night? I can't remember
7. Your favorite drink? Lemon Ice Water
8. The room you're in? My living room
9. George Bush? This is funny
10. What you're good at? All things shopping
11. One of your wish list items? Some new Sevens
12. Where did you grow up? South Orange County
13. The last thing you did? Talked to Becky
14. What are you wearing? Jeans and T-shirt
15. Who stole your sunglasses? They're not stollen
16. Ketchup? Not for fries
17. Your computer? a MAC laptop
18. Your life? full of fun
19. Your mood? getting kinda sleepy
20. Your next blog? coming very soon!
21. Your car is? getting kinda old
22. Your summer? Always a blast
23. Your relationship status? Not in one
24. Your favorite color(s)? i LOVE pink!
25. When is the last time you laughed? 2 seconds ago

I got to be a princess for 5 minutes today...

2007-09-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

This afternoon while I was getting ready for my very first church service at San Clemente (which, was awesome by the way) I had to go out to my car and grab my make-up. I was in my pajamas and I was jogging out to my car. For some reason I don't feel awkward at all going to the store in my pajamas, but if my neighbors see me in them... it always makes me feel uncomfortable.

Anyways...

I was jogging out to my car to grab my make up, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a little huddle of little boys dressed up. Their ages ranged probably from about 3 to 6, and they were easily the cutest little guys I have ever seen. One little guy was wearing a batman mask, one a super man cape, and the other a little denim hat. All of the boys were wearing rain boots (my favorite part of their ensemble). And, there were also some wooden swards, a pool noodle, and a big water gun involved. They were standing huddled around a tree and the littlest boy in the denim hat was standing up against it pretending like his arms were tied around it. He looked reluctant like he didn't want to be the bad guy. I think that he was probably just playing along so that the other boys would let him play with them.

I couldn't help myself, I had to go play with them for five minutes. So I walked up and we had this conversation:

Me: Hi... you guys aren't looking for bad guys... are you?
Batman with sword: Yes... have you seen some?
Superman with pool noodle: No no, we found him, he's there! (pointing to the boy "tied" to the tree)
Me: Well are you sure that he's the bad guy? You wouldn't want to kill the wrong person...
Batman: Oh, yeah... you're right...
Me: Well... I just saw some pirates run around the corner.
Little Guy against tree with a water gun bigger than he was: YOU DID!?
Me: Yeah, and I know they are bad guys. You should probably go get them...
Superman: OK! Guys, lets go! Come with us! Show us where the pirates are...
Me: OK, but you have to walk really quiet and be sneaky. Pirates have really good ears and they can hear people trying to sneak up on them.
Batman: OK. we'll whisper. We're just going to follow you
Me: Alright... see that car? The blue one? (I pointed to a truck that was parked close to us). The pirates are hiding behind that truck, I think they heard us coming...
Superman: Oh no... I need my sword!
Me: Now, I'm the princess because I'm the only girl. So you have to protect me from the bad guys.

The littlest guy of the bunch, walking right in front of me was ADORABLE. He turned around, gave me the biggest smile ever, and says "YEAH OK! I'll protect you!"

My heart melted a little.

After they fought off the bad guys (which was only about 2 seconds later after yelling "ATTACK!", and then sword fighting with each other) I told them that the princess had to go back to her castle. They said OK, so I went back to my house and finished getting ready.

Dang they were cute.

One more thing before I head off to bed...

2007-09-11T21:52:00.001-07:00

Tonight while Becky and I were on our way to Wahoo's for dinner, we saw something that made me want my camera more badly than the day that I caught the 100 pound fish at the harbor.

Picture this: An old man (probably in his late 70's) with a big white beard. He really looked like Santa Clause... driving a teeny-tiny red vespa. For all I know it could have really been Santa Clause... who knows what he does on his off season? The best part of this blessed scene playing out in front of my eyes, was not that I think I saw Santa Clause on a red vespa... but the fact that he was wearing ridiculous goggles and had a HUGE American flag waving from the tail of his "bike". Not the kind of flag that some people put on their car windows... it was a flag that people would hang up in front of their house, or put on a flag pole. It was that big.

Amazing.

My first day!

2007-09-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

So today was my first day down at the Saddleback San Clemente campus... and I loved it! I can't wait for this weekend to meet all the students, volunteers and see what the next year of my life is going to look like.

Highlights of my day were...
- Walking into the office and seeing that my desk had been decorated (Thank you Jake!)
- Getting Pizza with the whole team and getting to see Luke and Erin too!
- Watching Pastor Rick talk about Purpose Driven Churches on a DVD... from the 90's. The whole San Clemente team and I watched it together, not only was it super entertaining to see everyone in the audience with big hair, crazy make-up, funny mustaches, and big floral patterns on their clothes... it was also super helpful to be reminded of certain things that I so easily forget.

I love the team and working with Jake is going to be so awesome.

There's really not a whole lot else to say, other than I am so excited for this new chapter in my life!

Thank you to all my friends who texted me, called me, and e-mailed me letting me know that you were thinking of me and praying for me! I love you!

Dear Wildside,

2007-09-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

I have SO loved being a part of everything that you have done. From the Wildside bowl to Mobile Missions, from weekend services to Strive. It was all a blast, and I will miss you very much.

To all the students still in Wildside... I LOVE YOU! I'm so glad that I got to know you! This is not a goodbye, but an "I'll see you later", there is no way that I could just walk away from all of you. I love you way too much to just pack up, leave, and never come back. You are all the reason I do what I do. Seeing your faces on the weekend made my week... every time. You are so great, and I can't wait to see where you will be in a couple years. Let's keep in touch! And, I'm sure I will see you around.

To all the students that graduated and are not in Wildside anymore... I LOVE YOU! I am also so glad that I got to know you! I am so excited for you to have your first year of High School! I hope you love it, and if you go through a rough patch, I am just a phone call or e-mail away. I cannot wait to see where you will be in a couple years.

You all mean that world to me and have touched my life immensely! I love you SO much! Don't ever forget that. I'm here for you always, and I can't wait to see you the next time that we meet!

Love,
Annie

p.s. If you come visit me down at the San Clemente campus... I would be beyond excited!

Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Will Ferrell, and a Mac...

2007-09-09T01:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday night was very fun. After a delicious dinner at Lucille's with Justin, John and Elizabeth, we all came back to my house and watched the best of Will Ferrell SLN. I must admit, SNL has totally never been the same since Will Ferrell Left. Not even close. And, I am so thankful that my friend Josh got me the Will Ferrell DVD so that I can enjoy Will Ferrell whenever I need a good dose of laughter. I would have to say that my top four (because I couldn't pick just three) Will Ferrell Moments are:

1. The Robert Goulet One
2. The Cow Bell One
3. The Harry Carey One
4. The Drugs Stop Here One

So dang funny.

After all that fun... John and I stayed up and took pictures like this until about 2:30 am...

Such a fun night. I have the coolest friends ever.

God is bigger...

2007-09-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

Last night I was driving home after picking up my car from my mechanics and the new Carrie Underwood came on, I'll stand by you. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the song is not written in a spiritual context at all. But, last night as I was listening to it, tears started welling up in my eyes thinking about how that is how much God loves me and how God views me. And, to think that the song does not do God's love for me justice what-so-ever. For those 3 minutes I felt so overwhelmed by God's love for me and just pictured him holding me in his hands singing this song to me. I am so undeserving, and yet He loves me SO much anyways. I want to love people the way that Jesus loves me. I want to reflect Jesus in my life and especially in the way that I love other people. Regardless of what kind of day I am having, or what is going on in my life.

Here are the song lyrics.

Why, why you look so sad?
The tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't, don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So, if you're mad get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
But I'm alone like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know whichpath to choose
Let me come along
'Cause even if you're wrong...
I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

Even in your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
And when, when the nightfalls on you baby
You're feeling all alone
You're wondring on your own

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

I am so thankful to be loved by such a BIG God that loves me so much, and know's what's best for me when I don't have a clue. I am so thankful that God will stand by me no matter what happens. Thank you Matthew 11:30 for this reminder, "For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Thank you Lord for telling me that the only burden you give me is to
try my hardest to please you (and that it's OK when I don't please everyone esle around me). Thank you also for telling me that my burden is easy becasue you will bear it with me by standing by me. Thank you for giving me the freedom to mess up; and for your patience and grace when you hold out your hand to me and help me to get back up on my feet even when I fall.

Intern Mystery Road Trip #2

2007-09-06T23:39:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was SO much fun! All of the interns plus Josh, Allison, and Jana went deep sea fishing. I wasn't sure what to expect at first... but it was so great. And, one of the best things about it was that it was something that I never would have done on my own. But, now that I know it's awesome... i would totally do it again!

Highlights from the trip include:
- going fishing for my first time EVER
- spending time with the other interns
- being out on the ocean and rocking back and forth on the boat
- perfect weather
- helping captain bob make cheeseburgers
- getting away from e-mail and my cell phone for 8 hours
- trying to walk strait while the boat was rocking out of control
- never having to bait my own hook
- catching a 100 pound black sea bass... that's right.
Things I learned on the trip include:
- black sea bass are protected. Therefore I was not allowed to keep my fish and take him home with me. If I could have taken my fish home, I would have built him and tank and named him. I would not have eaten him. For two reasons:
1) I don't like seafood
2) I felt like since I caught him, he came to me and therefore belongs to me... to love him. He would have been my favorite fish that I ever had and I would never have tried to flush him down my toilet (poor Henry the purple fish...)
- Sea lions are just like a pack of wolves, but they live in water
- cheeseburgers are so much more delicious when you are out in the middle of the ocean
- Brian is an excellent fisherman
- Elizabeth, Dominik, and Jeff get sea sick very easily
- Barracudas are not only really slimy and gross, but they also have super strong teeth and can bite through your fishing line and swallow the bait and hook like it's nothing.
- Deep Sea fishing, although a little smelly and can make some people sea sick, is AWESOME. Everyone should go!

Breaking News...

2007-09-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

A rat just ran across the cieling tiles in our office.

I screamed, stood on my desk, and grabbed my camera. I'm a lot of help I am in this kind of crisis situation.

Details later... and pictures...

Weekend Re-cap...

2007-09-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Friday night: Dominik's 21 birthday! WOO HOO DOMINIK!! A bunch of us went to BJ's and I got to watch Dominik open this awesome present:
Saturday: Saturday morning I had breakfast with one of my old C-group girls. I can't believe that she will be going into High School. We had a whole conversation about how High School is awesome, but it won't be anything like High School Musical. This was a little hard for her to grasp, considering that every single one of her notebooks were High School Musical and her walls are plastered in posters.

After breakfast with Abby and saying a sad goodbye because we won't see each other for a while... Becky, Elizabeth and I took of to the McTaggerts beach house up in Huntington Beach. It was awesome, and probably the most vacation-y/beach-y thing that I have done all summer.

Highlights from the trip include:
- making a ton of new friends
- jumping off a bridge into the ocean
- learning how to drive a dinghy and taking it out onto the harbor with friends
- playing cards until 2:30 in the morning
- floating around in inner tubes in the harbor
- a trip to target with Holly and Brian.
- water balloon fights from the dock
- delicious food... Thank you Heather, you're amazing!
- spending time with awesome people
- doing a Noah's Ark puzzle with Kelly

It was easily the most fun thing I have done all summer. It was so great to have no agenda what-so-ever and just be able to relax, have fun and laugh with all my friends. The best medicine to get me back on my feet and get me excited for what is coming up next in Wildside.

Sunday: Becky, Elizabeth and I said a sad goodbye to everyone at the beach house around 5:30 and took off to go home and get ready for church. We met up with my friend John at church, sat through an incredible message by Lee Strobel and then all went to Wahoo's afterward.

... what a great weekend.

Usually I hate getting my clothes soaking wet...

2007-08-31T22:48:00.000-07:00

But a couple nights ago I didn't mind so much. I got to be a part of this:
Wildside went down to Salt Creek beach to Baptize four of our students and it was incredible. I was the person in charge of taking pictures of all the students getting baptized, which meant that I had to stand out in the waves (that were waste deep) and I wore jeans... oopsies. But, it was worth it. I love my job and I am so blessed to be a part of this kind of thing. I love watching Students fall in love with Jesus and take the next step with him. I love being able to watch them learn, grow and mature in their faith. And, even though I am just a small part of their lives... they have touched mine in a huge way.

I am SO blessed to be called into ministry and be able to experience God working in students lives first hand. I can't wait to see where these students will be 5 years from now.

This is my friend- Part 1

2007-08-29T17:26:00.001-07:00

This is my friend Brian, he thinks his name is Bron (because that's how he say's it) But it's spelled B-r-i-a-n which means that is is pronounced BRI-AN. And not BRON.

Today Bri-an was running credit cards though our machine and asked me to help him load some new credit card tape into the machine. He went to get some new tape and it was too big to fit in the machine. So he said "Let's just unroll it until it will fit inside" to which I said, "Umm... really? Are you sure?" He nodded and just rolled it across the floor, and then i tossed it back. Then between the two of us this is what accidentally happened:

Ok, maybe it wasn't a complete accident. But then it just kept going... and going... and going...

Woops.

Seeing the big pile of paper on the floor (that reminded me of a pile of leaves) made me want to play with it... so I did. And I got BRON to play with it too. This is us dressed up in credit card tape:

I like you Bri-an. I'm glad that we're friends.

It was time...

2007-08-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't notice... I have a swanky new blog layout. Sure, it's not as fancy as some of the other ones out there, but I like it. I especially like that I have all of my friends links back.

HOORAY!

And just when you thought I couldn't get any more talented...

2007-08-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

Allow me to knock your socks of once again. Along with my many other talents including: knowing the lyrics to every Kelly Clarkson song, popping my hip out it's socket, being able to find whatever I'm looking for in pink, and perfecting the art of "the awkward face" in pictures... I also play tennis. That's right... yours truly LOVES the sport of racquet's and green spheres.

Tonight I played tennis with Becky... it had been about a year for both of us, so we were totally rusty, but it was very fun. Elizabeth came too, and she was our spectator/entertainer/cheerleader/time keeper/ball catcher. Thank you Elizabeth.

We all talked about getting out there at least once a week from now on. I can't wait until Tuesday next week!

Oh Disneyland... you never let me down.

2007-08-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Disneyland. And, as always... I had a FABULOUS time! I went with Wendy and Bethany and I can't wait to go back with them! Here are some pictures from our adventure at Disneyland...
In the parking structure getting excited about going to Disneyland... I feel like Wendy and I could almost be related in this picture.

An awkward interpretive dance. The lady who took this picture for us was giggling the whole time... I was worried that the picture was going to come out blurry.

Bethany was being Tinkerbell, I was being a soaring eagle, and Wendy was a chicken. We felt like we all needed to be a "flying" something because of the background...

A fun house mirror right outside of California Screamin'... always fun!

Wendy making an Elvis face and me trying to make an Elvis face...

This picture makes me laugh so hard. We were all supposed to make faces like we were afraid but Bethany looks like she just won a million dollars, Wendy looks like a scared Elvis, and I look like I'm about to cry...

It was such a great day! Wendy and Bethany... I can't wait to go back with you, and when we do... we need to have a picture scavenger hunt! I've already started a list of things to look for! Pink bangs (check), Hammer pants (check), fanny pack (check, check), family in matching outfits (check, check and CHECK.)

Gentle Reminders...

2007-08-24T14:20:00.000-07:00

This morning I read this:

"Thanksgiving is possible not because everything goes perfectly but because God is present. The Spirit of God is within us-nearer to us than our own breath. It is a discipline to choose to stitch our days together with the thread of gratitude."

It really just reminded me of God's sovereignty and how little I am compared to Him. It reminded me that He's my Father and that He is going to take care of me through every single life situation that I go though; and He's got everything figured out already, therefore I need to be thankful and full of joy in Him. It reminded me that no matter how I feel, or how I try to take control of the situation... His will is going to prevail and its is going to be right. It reminded me that I need to be available to be shaped in every situation and not get caught up in my fears or emotions; but that I need to be ready to be molded though the things that happen in my life. And, hopefully I will have the chance to use that experience later in life and help someone in a similar situation.

Thank you Lord for your gentle reminders of how you are in control and that your will is perfect. Thank you that you that you know me better than I know myself and that you know what is best for me. Help me to be obedient, available, and ready to be shaped to be more like you.

Tonight, I love my job...

2007-08-23T15:18:00.000-07:00

I am off to an Angel's game in about 2 hours with Wildside... oh boy am I excited!

GO ANGELS!!

Would you still be my friend if...

2007-08-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

In my house there is one bathroom for three girls. It gets a little crowded at times so sometimes a couple of us will be brushing our teeth while the other one is in the shower. Tonight while Elizabeth and I were getting ready for bed she was taking a shower and I was brushing my teeth and Elizabeth says, "Let's play the would you still be my friend if game..." With my tooth brush in my mouth I said "OK! You first!" This is how the conversation went:

E: Would you be my friend if I had facial hair?

Me: Yes, but I would shave it in your sleep.

Me: Would you still be my friend if I grew out my finger nails and toe nails so long that they started to curl?

E: EW. Yes, but I would encourage you to trim them

E: Would you be my friend if I was a Paula Cole Impersonator for a living?

Me: Would you shave your armpits?

E: No.

Me: Yes, I would totally be your friend, and go to all your concerts.

Me: Would you still be my friend if I didn't know how to walk so I had to skip everywhere?

E: Totally.

E: Would you still be my friend if my boyfriend was Marlyn Manson?

Me: NO.

Me: Would you still be my friend if i made all of my clothes out of duct tape?

E: Yes, because I would love to have a friend that does that!

E: Would you still be my friend if I changed my accent every other sentence?

Me: Yes, totally.

Me: Would you still be my friend if I wanted to live with 50 cats?

E: Would the cats be wearing hand knitted sweaters?

Me: Yes, and I will have knitted them with rainbow yarn.

E: No, that's too much.

E: Would you still be my friend if I had sneeze attacks for hours at a time?
Me: Yes, I would just carry a box of Kleenex with me and always have a a face mask ready to go...

Me: Would you still be my friend if I sang show tunes really loud in my sleep every night?

E: Yes, I would just get awesome earplugs.

So... everyone... would you be my friend if every hour on the hour I sang It's a small world after all?

Reason 9,856 I love living with roommates...

2007-08-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

My roommates are the best. I love them with my whole heart. Becky and Elizabeth are two of my best friends in the whole wide world and I am so SO blessed to be living with them. Sometimes I think that it would be fun to live in a studio all by myself in New York or Seattle, but then I would miss out on things like this...

Tonight when we all got home from our busy days, around 9ish, we decided that we wanted to go out. We ended up at the Harbor House... one of our favorite places. Not because the food is super delicious, or even because the waitresses are super awesome and nice... mostly because it is just always open, and we always seem to laugh the hardest when we were there. Tonight we saw a really big tall back man wearing a camo vest and tight black pants with cowboy boots. He was dancing all by himself and having an awesome time... how lucky for us be there while this was happening. AWESOME. The harbor house has a really big place in our hearts...

After two huge hot fudge sundae's Becky decided that she was craving cereal so we all piled in the car and went to go find a grocery store that was still open. Thank goodness for ALBERTSON'S! While we were there we did a scavenger hunt for the most random things that we could find, and also just took some other fun pictures...

Who knew that there was such a thing as Micky Burgers...

I love Becky's face in this one. I also love how excited Elizabeth is over these neon straws...

Awesome visors. If you're ever going to a themed visor party, Albertsons is the place to go!

We also bought these bug glasses at the store. 2 for $4... how could we say no!? They were way too good to pass up! We came home and had a photo shoot with them... this was the best picture.

I love my roommates!

Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me...

2007-08-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

I am sitting in the Junior High tent right now and there are flys everywhere inside and outside of the tent. My friend Blair just had one in his ear and I just had one land on my face. EW.

List of reasons why I hate flys:

- They eat poop

- Evey time they land on you they throw up

- They were super rude in the movie A Bugs Life

- They get to have 3000 eyes, and I only get two

Highlights from Beach Camp...

2007-08-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

- Driving a 15 passenger van for the first time ever...

- Listening to the girls in my van teach the boys in the back seat the motions to itsy bitsy spider.

- Driving past semi's on our way to Carlsbad and trying to get the semi drivers to honk their horn for us... then everyone exploding in "YEAH! That was SO awesome! He honked for us! Woo Hoo!"...every time. Awesome.

- Getting to go to Lifeguard Headquarters with a student because he got stung by a stingray... then going to the Emergency Room with him. FYI... if you ever go to the hospital without shoes on they give you awesome fuzzy socks to wear... and keep! I was a little bit sad that I had sandals on.

- Having a spoons tournament and listening to Matt Hall and David Hughes do running commentary. HILARIOUS.

- Playing capture the flag at night with glow necklaces... then dressing up with them!

- Going to the store in our glow necklaces and buying tons of ice cream. We also made friends with the cashier and gave him a couple of glow necklaces to wear. After getting the longest receipt ever, we danced in the parking lot.

- Singing "Don't build your house on the sandy land" with motions in front of all of our students...

- Going out into the water with a ton of our girls and doing ridiculous "YOGA" positions. We tried to stay standing when the waves crashed against us... but the crazier the positions, the easier we fell. We also made our hair look like George Washington and jumped up when the waves came so that our hair would stay "George Washington-ish"... I love junior highers.

- Playing Egyptian Rat Slap with awesome water proof cards on sandy towels with a bunch of students.

- Backing up a cargo van down a steep dirt road. Bethany was standing in the back of the van yelling, "Right, Left... now strait! OK, left... more left... watch out there's a wall!" I feel invincible now.

- Singing in my van on the way home with students and making up dance moves to Unwritten. Then watching every single one of them in my rear view mirror dance when the chorus comes on. Including the guys.

- Listening to Breaking Free (High School Musical) nine times in a row on the way home. The boys in my van DEMANDED to sing solo at the beginning... then we all joined in and sang together. So much fun.

- Getting home and taking a long hot shower...

I'm sad that our camps are over for the summer... but it's good to be home. And, I have something to look forward to next summer! Only 362 more days to go!

... and I'm gone again

2007-08-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I leave for beach camp. I am so excited because I love the beach and I love camp... so both of them together is going to be SO much fun! Another thing that I am super excited about this trip is that we're only taking about 50 students... so hopefully I (and all the leaders going) will get to know all of them by name!

Hopefully when I get back I will be a lot tanner than I am now...

I'll be back Friday... with pictures!

Being 12 again... and loving it!

2007-08-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

The very last night up at Thousand Pines Bethany, Stacey and I decided to take some crazy pictures. Taking awkward pictures (where you look super uncomfortable in them, or just plain ridiculous) is one of our favorite things to do.

This was the "Pretend like you're the worlds wost model" Pose

This was the "Pretend that you're trying to be sexy... but you're horrible at it" Pose.

Such an awkward pose... we were laughing so hard. It might be one of those things where only the people in the situation think that it's funny... but I was just giggling while downloading the picture up to blogger I think it's so funny. Also, if you look at the girl in the background it looks like she has no teeth... which is also super funny.

This picture makes me laugh super hard because if you just glance at it it looks normal... but look at our hands. It's the most awkward hand pose ever. We were laughing pretty hard in this one too.

Good times. Stacey and Bethany, you guys are so much fun! I love you both and I'm so glad that we're friends!

I feel like this is a cheesy slide-show... BUT, here are pictures from Seattle.

2007-08-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

Our first bus Metro Bus ride. We were on our way to the Mariners game... you can't tell, but we were SUPER excited! We didn't have tickets, but we were hopeful!

This is the guy that sold me his ticket for a dollar less than he bought it. I was SO excited that I got to go into the game!

The cutest player on the whole wall full of pictures like this, so of course we had to take a picture with him.

Who can go to a baseball game and not eat a hot dog... not us! It was our first stop!

The DUCK tour! We payed $2 extra and got "wacky quackers"... totally worth it!

The bus driver who who said that her name was "Helen Wheels" was a little crazy. OK, a lot crazy... she had Barbie's hanging from the ceiling of the bus that she would take down every once in a while and swing them by their hair to the rhythm of whatever song was playing....

Meet our crazy "Duck" Driver Helen. This is her boxing with pink floaties right before we went into the water...

Becky and I freezing in the back of "Helen Wheel's" Duck Bus

The ferrie ride over to Bainbridge Peninsula. SO MUCH FUN!

Becky and I at the top floor of the tallest building west of the Mississippi... supposedly. I don't know if it's really the tallest building... but the view was amazing!

My Aunt Barbara and Uncle Daryl.

This placed used to be an old factory, but it shut down 50 years ago; now it's just a park where anyone can go. It was pretty fun walking around and looking at all of the old gadgets and big machinery.

A lake filled with lily pads that we saw right off the freeway. It's such a different view from our freeway in Southern California!

Of course we had to go to Starbucks in Seattle. We couldn't have avoided them if we had tried!

Home sweet home...

2007-08-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

I got home tonight from Seattle, and I miss it already... but I missed my friends back here even more. Some friends cam over tonight and we all made spaghetti and then watched a movie... so much fun.

I'm excited to sleep in my own bed tonight and wake up in my own house... but one day I hope that I can say that I am home in Seattle.

Pictures from Thousand Pines...finally!

2007-08-11T18:02:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Thousand Pines. I meant to post them forever ago but never had the time before I took off to Seattle. Bethany has more pictures on her blog too from summer camp. But here mine... finally... ta-da!

Some of my favorite things at camp are...

Hanging out with my favorite people. Bethany is one of them...

Getting serenaded by Germans on the piano in cafeteria.

Making new friends...

The bus ride home... always sad at the end of a fun week. But, also very great to be going home so that I can sleep in my own bed!

On the Escalator today...

2007-08-08T16:02:00.000-07:00

I heard this conversation with Becky:

Guy #1: YO! MY BROTHA... WASSUP!
Guy #2: YO!
Guy #1: HEY WHERE YOU BEEN... WHERE YOU AT NOW?
Guy #2: OH YOU KNOW! I'M, YOU KNOW... GOIN TO THE 12-14. 350.
Guy #1: YEAH YEAH, WOAH-KAY. I BE THERE.
Guy #2: YUP.
Guy #1: YEAH YEAH, THIS (points to his elbow). IT AINT RIGHT.
Guy #2: UH-HUH... UH-HUH. WE DO IT. YEAH, WE DO IT RIGHT!

Guy #1 was one step ahead of us on the escalator and almost to the second floor, and Guy #2 wasn't even on the escalator, he was on the floor below us. They could have easily been the loudest people in the whole entire mall. I'm pretty sure that you could hear them on all three floors...

Oh Seattle... how I love you for all of your interesting people and fun moments.

Who let the ducks out?

2007-08-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

I did. That's right.

picture this: Crazy lady (driving a huge bus swinging a Barbie by her hair) singing "WHO LET THE DUCKS OUT?!" and about 40 people in a buss with her echoing "QUACK... QUACK, QUACK, QUACK!"

It was easily the most entertaining hour and a half of my life.

I can't wait to post pictures about this adventure in Seattle when I get home and hook up my camera. GET EXCITED EVERYONE...

Here's a couple (not) fun facts...

2007-08-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

According to my Snapple lid today, Snapple True Fact #31 says: The average human will eat an average of 8 spiders while sleeping.

SICK. I can't think of anything that grosses me out more than having a spider crawl into my mouth... except maybe a grasshopper jumping into my mouth.

Also, according to Becky's Snapple lid, Snapple True Fact #53 says: The average women consumes 6lbs of lipstick in her lifetime.

Thank goodness I don't wear lipstick. That's 6 pounds I don't need!

Germans call it an "Ear Worm". I call it "Having a song stuck in my head".

2007-08-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

So, there is this awesome music store right down the street from my Aunts house (where I am staying in Seattle) and its called Easy Street Records. I have been there probably 5 times since I have been up here just because I love to walk through it and look at all the old vintage records that they have along with the new released records. Honestly, I didn't even know that Records were still being made. But, when I walked by a shelf and saw some JET and Shins records sitting out I realized that records aren't as 1950's as I thought they were. Anyways, every time I am walking out of the store I see the sign that says "Easy Street Records" and I start singing the song "Easy Street" from the movie Annie. All day long that song has been on repeat playing in my head. I can't get it out; I have been humming it all day long. The song was gone for an hour today when I heard the Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive" at Johnny Rockets. But that didn’t last for very long… because as soon as I walked by Easy Street I started singing that song again.

This is what I have been singing under my breath ALL DAY LONG:

(BUMP BUMP) Easy Street... (BUMP BUMP) EASYYY STREEEEETT... Where the rich folks plaaaay! Yeah, yeah, yeah, (yeah yeah yeah...) UH! Move them ever-lovin' feeeeet... to eaaaasy streeeeet. That's where we're gonna (UH) - THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOOONNAAA... BEEE!!

What's the worst song you have ever gotten stuck in your head? …I think that this is mine.

I went to a Mariners game!

2007-08-06T08:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Becky and I went to a Mariners game... and it was SO FUN! It took us forever to get in because tickets were completely sold out. This is our story of how we got in: Before we got tickets there was a Safeco employee standing out by the ticket window and this is how our conversation went:

Me: Hi! What are the chances of you wanting to sneak my friend and I into the game with you?
Him: Sorry, I can't.
Me: I'll give you $40.
Him: Well...
Me: You need to live on the edge every once and a while... PLEASE.
Him: Will you go on a date with me?
Me: Yes. Just get my friend and me into the game.
Him: Wow. Well, I would love to go on a date with you, but I would loose my job. Sorry.
Me: Boo. You're no fun at all.
Him: If I hear about any tickets getting released I'll let you know... If I get you in that way will you go on a date with me?
Me: No.
Him: Ok, well, I'll still look for tickets for you.
Me: Great, thanks.

No luck with that guy... so we moved on. One lady had to leave early so we ran over to her and she gave us her ticket. One down... one to go. We then talked to this other guy and convinced him that he should give us his ticket (that he was saving for a friend but never showed up). He caved in and even let me buy it off of him for a dollar less than he paid for it! I was so lucky because there was another guy standing right next to me offering SO much more than I could have paid, but he still gave it to me... for a dollar less that he paid for it! Sometimes it really pays off to be a girl.

... I will post pictures when I get home. I can't believe that I forgot my camera cord!

Tag, I'm it!

2007-08-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

I got tagged by Elizabeth... who I miss very much since I am in Seattle.

Dear Elizabeth,
I miss you. I miss falling asleep at night having our bunk bed conversations and watching movies with you. I really am not sure what I am going to do without you when you move away from me. I wish that you were here.

Here are my answers to these fun questions...

Famous person from History: Anne Sullivan. What an incredible women to be able to teach someone who is both blind and deaf to communicate. I would have loved to help and have a relationship with someone like that and watch them blossom. I can't think of a more rewarding job... way to be awesome Anne Sullivan. You are my hero. I can't imagine how frustrating that must have been at times... way to stick to it and get rewarded by your diligence and hard work.

Celebrity: Jessica Alba. She is totally cute and isn't in all over the cover of magazines and tabloids. She seems to have it all together, seems very personable, and like she would be fun to hang out with.

Athlete: Tiger Woods. Not because I love golf... I actually think that it's the most boring sport ever. And, I would also argue that golf isn't even a sport at all, I think it's so ridiculous when I see it on ESPN (but that's another blog altogether). I would want to be Tiger because he gets to travel a lot and play on beautiful golf courses. Also, golf is the kind of "sport" that you can play even when you get super old... so he won't have to retire soon unless he wants to.

Famous Christian Mover and Shaker: I am with Elizabeth on this one; I would say Donald Miller. He is one of my lit hero's and the most encouraging/motivating/challenging author that I have ever read. Donald Miller if you ever read this... I hope that one day I get to meet you. You are amazing. I want to be just like you.

Musician: Does the former Spice Girl Posh (Victoria Beckham) count? I'm going to say that yes she does count, because this is my blog and I do what I want on it. My rules say that The Spice Girls are totally musicians. I would want to be her because not only is she gorgeous, she is also married to a total stud, has an awesome wardrobe, her kids are super cute and she seems like she is a great mom.

Fun at the Airport

2007-08-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

This morning my roommate/best friend Becky and I took off for Seattle. We left our house this morning at 5:00, stopped at Starbucks, and made it to the airport in plenty of time to catch our flight. Once we checked our bags we walked over to the HUGE line of people waiting to go through the metal detectors... after being in line for about 20 minutes we heard a weird noise. I figured that it was music being played in the airport and that it was the beginning of a horrible song... nope. It was an alarm. There was a security breach and so the airport had to stop the line and no one was allowed to go through the metal detectors or check any more bags. The whole airport came to a stop... it was really weird. About two minutes later this short little women starts walking next to the line of people who were waiting to go to their terminal and starts yelling at everyone to "MAKE SURE THAT LIQUIDS ARE IN A PLASTIC BAG... A PLASTIC BAG. PLASTIC BAG. PLASTIC."

Becky and I were getting bored at this point and tired of standing so we pow-wowed on the floor and played Blink. One of the best card games ever. We were only there for about 30 minutes, thank goodness. Then we got to take off our shoes and walk through the metal detectors. Always a good time.

Once we got on the plane we had the best time ever. I love take off's and I LOVE sitting on planes with people that I love and just being able to spend time talking to them. Becky and I had a lot of catch up to do since we hadn't seen each other in about a month. We talked the whole time about everything that has been going on in our lives and then for a solid hour and a half on the plane we did this:

It might be a while...

2007-07-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Today I am crazy busy cleaning up my room, running errands, and packing for Thousand Pines. I leave tomorrow afternoon and probably won't be able to blog again until Friday. I will be busy playing spoons, hanging out with fun people, and watching God show himself in new ways to the students that we're taking up there. You can be praying that the students will be open to hearing God speak and maybe even accepting him in their life for the first time! Summer camp is such a blessing! I'm sure that I will have so many stories and pictures when I get back.

Have a great week everyone and don't miss me too much while I'm gone!

Bethany + Annie = GCF (good clean fun)

2007-07-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had a leader meeting for Summer Camp. I sat next to Bethany... which means that the meeting was even more awesome than I anticipated. You know how you just have those friends that seem to make whatever you're doing so much more fun? ... Bethany is that for me. I am convinced that her and I could sit in a room all by ourselves with nothing and we would have the best time ever.

So, we're sitting at this meeting tonight filling out a form with our medical information, name, address and all of that stuff. At the very bottom we notice a section that leaves blanks next to statements like what are your, "Night or sleeping problems, Concerns or fears, Siblings' names & ages if attending camp"

Here were our responses:
Annie:
Night or sleeping problems: Kick while sleeping
Concerns or fears: Bears, grasshoppers, the dark
Siblings' names & ages if also attending camp: My sister in Christ Bethany, she is 26.

Bethany:
Night or sleeping problems: Wetting the bed
Concerns or fears: Commitment
Siblings' names & ages if also attending camp: Annie-21. Sister in the Lord.

...we were giggling non stop while writing these out. Sometimes I feel like I'm 12 all over again. Now we have to fill out a new one, but it was sure fun!

Karaoke in Costco

2007-07-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

So, today i spent a lot of the day getting things ready for beach camp. It seems to be my life lately. For the first half of the day I was in Costco looking at stuff for our meals so I could make sure that the budget was correct. As I turned down the bread isle I started to hear singing. Not the kind of singing that one would hear on the radio... the kind of singing that one would expect to hear from their roommate, brother, or sister if they were singing in the shower. So, of course I turned my cart out into the main part of Costco so that i could follow the singing and find the person who it was coming from. My curiosity was killing me.

As soon as I walked out into the part of Costco where they had giant boxes of cereal I saw HER. She was siting on a stool in front of a TV singing Karaoke. I don't know whether she was selling the karaoke, or whether she was just a costumer who wanted to try it out. But she was there for about 10 minutes strait. Singing songs that I have never heard before... and you could hear her ALL over Costco.

It made my day. You go girl. Sing your heart out. I hope that someone gave you a tip.

I went down to San Diego

2007-07-24T21:22:00.000-07:00

I love San Diego. It is such a fun city and the beaches are AWESOME. Well today Brian and I went down to SD so that we could check out the location that we are staying for our beach camp. I don't want to give too much away just in case any students reading this is going... but it's going to be AMAZING! I can't wait! Also a fun highlight of the day was that we went to a party store and couldn't resist trying on the sunglasses. Really... who can resist trying on awesome sunglasses when you pass by them? Not me! I will put up a picture of that tomorrow.

I had the best day ever!

2007-07-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

Today was the best day ever! It was the first day that I have had in a while to just relax and "do nothing". Elizabeth and I woke up about 9ish, made breakfast together, and then took off for the bookstore. I bought a book that I have read before, but I gave my copy away to a friend, and so I wanted to buy a new one. After buying my book and making fun of a couple books that were sitting out on some bookshelves we headed to Starbucks and got some iced tea. Then we went down to the Dana Point Harbor and read for 4 strait hours. Elizabeth finished the new Harry Potter book and I got about half way through my book... it was so great. Once I started to notice that I was getting a little sun burned and we both started to get a little tired from being out in the sun for so long we decided to go home. We picked up some gift certificates that we had gotten as a gift to Happy Nails and took off to go get pedicures. I got pink with polka-dots on my toes and Elizabeth got chocolate brown with polka-dots on her toes. So fun! Now that we are back home we made dinner and now we're watching my favorite movie ever, Anne of Green Gables!
...
This has been the best day ever! I love you Elizabeth… and I love spending time with you! You're the greatest!

7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2... THOUSAND PINES!

2007-07-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm too old to go away for Summer Camp as a student... but that doesn't mean that I can't still get excited for going! Today marks exactly one week until Wildside takes off for Thousand Pines... and oh boy I'm excited! This time next week I will be unpacking my bags, setting up my bed, talking to the girls in my cabin, and getting ready to head down for our first night session. I can't wait... GET EXCITED EVERYONE! Thousand pines... you're only 7 days away! Woo Hoo!!

Dear Blogger

2007-07-22T09:08:00.001-07:00

I like you. I like you a lot, but I don't like your blog templates at all. I'm not trying to hurt your feelings or anything, I'm just saying that they're a little boring. Therefore, I will be designing my own (with Jaime's help) and using that instead. I hope that you understand.

You're loyal friend,
Annie Summers

So, I lied.

2007-07-20T22:19:00.001-07:00

I said that I was going to post pictures a while ago and I didn't. So, to catch you up, these are pictures of Josh's 3 year old party, the fair, one of our weekend services and the Gurly trip that Wildside took to Hollywood...

Josh's Birthday party. He turned three a couple weeks ago... I can't believe how big he is getting, and how much fun he is! He even let me wear his train conductor hat!
I love his face in this picture.
Corn dogs at the 4:30 service with two of my favorite people.
Zack and I at the fair... I guess he's making that face because I'm not looking where I'm driving ?
The whole crew at the fair. It was SUCH a fun night. You guys are GREAT!
...
Dear Brent and John,
I'm sorry that I didn't see you at the fair. I wanted to run into you so that we all could hang out... but I never saw you. Maybe if I had your phone numbers in my phone... that kind of thing won't happen again. I hope that you had fun watching the demolition derby... I had fun watching crazy people and going on rides. I would like to go to the fair with both of you sometime.
...
Your friend,
Annie
...
P.S. John Wright- I did e-mail you back. Stop spreading lies to my best friend that I didn't. Jesus wouldn't lie... you shouldn't either.

Crazy socks at Lucky Strike Bowling... So much fun!

These guys were really nice and let us take a picture with them at the oxygen bar...

It's been a while...

2007-07-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

So, the reason that I haven't posted in a while isn't because I died, I've just been super busy. So many fun things have come and gone and I feel like it's too late to blog about them now. So, sorry...

Right now I am about to make dinner with Elizabeth and that is something that we have not done together in a while... so I'm very excited. I will post pictures of what I have been up to tomorrow!

Hope everyone is doing great!

My 100th Blog!

2007-07-12T22:45:00.000-07:00

Yep... today is the day. The day of my 100th blog. Congratulation's to me! And, since this is my 100th blog I am going to copy Alanna's blog idea of things 100 I love and hate (good idea Alanna) except I am just putting down 50 things that I love. Because 100 things is a lot and I'm guessing that no one will read all 100... here they are:

1. daisies
2. the color pink
3. my duvet on my bed
4. the smell of cookies in the oven
5. peanut butter
6. sandals
7. martha stewart magazines
8. the feeling of sand in my toes
9. ducks
10. a clean house
11. flinstone push pops
12. chocolate chip bagels from I love Bagles
13. getting a pedicure
14. bathing suits
15. holding hands
16. purses
16. the book of James in the Bible
17. the rain
18. jeans
19. laying out in the sun
20. disneyland
21. playing catch phrase
22. umbrellas
23. being with my friends
24. shopping
25. baseball
26. churos (from Disneyland)
27. hearing my favorite song on the radio
28. road trips
29. dress-up parties
30. when harry met sally
31. unexpected presents
32. laughing so hard I cry
33. dancing in the car
34. ben & jerry's oatmeal cookie ice cream
35. passion tea lemonade at starbucks
36. running at the harbor
37. the zoo
38. little kids
39. homemade ice cream
40. sledding
41. warm fires when it's snowing outside
42. a good book
43. big areas of green grass
44. bon fires
45. the beach
46. scarves
47. making cards
48. photo booths at fairs
49. seattle
50. taking pictures

Happy Seven Eleven!

2007-07-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

Today was 7/11 (in case you didn't know). And, to anyone living outside of the US this is just a normal day, but since we live in the wonderful United States of America and have 7/11 stores... today was get a free slurpee day! This was very exciting for me because I have never gone into a 7/11 before to get a free slurpee... in fact I can't even remember the last time that I even went into a 7/11.

So after work Gerry and I went and got a free slurpee. They were tiny, but very fun, and very delicious. Good idea Gerry, I'm glad that you made me get one!

Harry Potter at Midnight...

2007-07-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

In a couple hours I am going to see the new Harry Potter Movie. I haven't seen any of the other movies or even read the books... but, I've also never been to a midnight showing of a movie... so I'm kind of excited.

I'm pretty sure that I could never get into the whole Harry Potter thing like many other people are... but I sure do love going to the movies with friends!

I really hope that tonight while I'm in line I see some Harry Potter crazies that are all dressed up! That would really make my night!

Transformers... take 2

2007-07-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

I saw transformers yesterday for the second time... and it was even better! I felt like some things made more sense and I picked up on some little details that I missed the first time.

But, as much as I loved it, there was one thing that I didn't like... Megan Fox (the main girl). She is HORRIBLE. I know, i know... she's hot. I get it... but, she can't act to save her life. None of her lines are convincing (at all), no matter what is going on she is always trying to look sexy (And, that doesn't work Megan Fox. Normal people don't look sexy when they are running for their life... try taking some acting classes), and last but not least she only had one expression the whole entire movie; and that expression was, "I'm confused... but I'm really hot. I know you think I'm hot".

Dear Megan Fox,
Acting... learn about it. You're terrible.
Just trying to help,
Annie

Despite Megan's horrible acting skills I loved the movie! And, I can't remember the last time that I ever saw a movie in theaters more than once, so this is kind of a big deal. I love transformers. I know that makes me a super big nerd... but I'm OK with that. I also love the Spice Girls and I think Weird Al is funny... so be it.

I hate grashoppers.

2007-07-06T13:55:00.001-07:00

HATE THEM. I hate them so much that as I sat in work today downloading different color palettes onto illustrator, even though I loved a specific green palette, I refused to download it because the title of the palette was "grasshopper's dream". I refuse to have anything on my computer to do with grasshoppers.

I hate them so much that I also thought about putting a picture of a grasshopper on my blog for this post, but I got so grossed out at the thought... I didn't.

A fun surprise

2007-07-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

This morning when I came into my office I found a bunch of pretty purple flowers sitting on my desk with a note that said, "Hope you have a great day". So, I emptied a glass frappacino bottle, filled it with water, and put my pretty flowers in it.

I don't recognize the handwriting of the note... so anyone want to own up to this fun surprise? I'm guessing not since you didn't write your name at the bottom... but whoever you are, you made my day!

I feel like walking the world, like walking the world...

2007-07-05T21:25:00.001-07:00

List of things that I love:
- Sunsets/Sunrises
- Running
- My i-pod
- The smell of the ocean
- People watching

All of these things together= Good times.

Every morning, and every night I used to go for a fun at the Dana Point Island. It was my favorite way to begin and end the day. I loved running while watching the sunrise in the morning and breathing in the crisp cool air as I was waking up. And, I loved watching people with their dogs and smelling people's BBQs while I ran around at night.

Well, tonight on my way home I decided that I was going to go to the harbor since I hadn't been in a while, and it was great! I forgot how great it is down there! If you live close to the harbor island... you should go down!

Happy 4th of July!

2007-07-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

I know that since today is the 4th of July I should probably have a picture of our president, a flag, a picture of someone BBQing, or maybe even fireworks posted on my blog... except this 4th of July Josh Duhamel was the best part. I am grateful that we live in a free country... but today I am VERY grateful that Josh was in Transformers. I saw the movie today and other than the super cheesy lines like, "No matter what happens, I'm glad that I got in the car with you" (gag me) it was a great movie. I know that this is such a girl thing to say but, Josh is in my top my three reasons why I would see that movie again. And they are:

3. Josh helping saving the world
2. Josh in uniform
1. Josh coming home to his wife and new baby girl

Just kidding. Those are not my three reasons... but Josh would be one of the three.

After the movie some friends and I grabbed lunch at Wahoo's which is always delicious, and then Bethany and I took off to find some festive 4th of July hats. Well... we found hats and, the best part about the hats we found is that they also came with an Uncle Sam Beard! Which we also turned into a uni-brow, chest hair, armpit hair, 5 kinds of mustaches and about 3 different kinds of beards. It was awesome.

Later we met up with a bunch of friends and all had dinner together and played some games, it was very fun! One of the guys at the party was a new German intern and since it was his first American holiday Bethany and I took Dominik to see fireworks... he was very excited.

I hope that everyone had a GREAT 4th of July! Mine was great!
...
B and me at Party city... we tried on a few different things before we bought our uncle Sam hats and beards.

The car ride home from getting our sweet 4th of July accessories...This picture speaks for itself. The movie was awesome...Alanna made funfetti cupcakes! My favorite!

I love Disneyland!

2007-07-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon Tory (my best friend from high school) and I went to Disneyland. We had been planning to go, but we have both been so busy it has been put off for a long time... but we FINALLY did it!

We took off about 2ish and were able to go on almost everything that we wanted (minus the new Finding Nemo ride- the wait was 3 hours). I can't remember the last time that I saw Disneyland as deserted as it was yesterday. We walked right on onto the Tower of Terror and waited 5 minutes for Astro Blasters. AMAZING.

I love going to Disneyland with Tory because she's a super big Disneyland nerd just like me. Whenever I go with my usual friends to Disneyland they never want to watch any of the parades, see Fantasmic, or go in any of the fun buildings at California Adventure to see what might be inside. But, those are Tory's favorite things to do! So... we watched the Parade down Main Street and these were some of the highlights:

- Peter Pan pointed to me and blew me a kiss, So I blew him a kiss and he caught it! I got so excited I think I actually squealed...

- We realized that the person in the Queen of Hearts costume was a man... oh no.

- Some of the dancers were dancing with life size dolls instead of real people.

- The little boy in his stroller with rainbow colored lollipop all over his face asked Tory and me if we wanted a lick.

We also went into The Beasts Library and look a quiz to find out what Disney character we would be. Tory found out that she would be Mrs. Pots, and I found out that I would be the Ariel (from The Little Mermaid).

It was a very fun day! One of my favorite parts of the whole day was when we were sitting on Soarin' California. Tory was holding her purse on her lap and one of the attendants walked up to us and said,

Attendant: "Excuse me ma'am..."
Tory: "Yes?"
Attendant: "Uh, is that a bag or a purse?"
Tory: "Umm... it's a... Burse?"
Attendant: "Oh, ok then, just go ahead and put that there on your lap."
Tory: "Ok?"

Maybe you had to be there but it was pretty dang funny. We giggled the whole time about Burses and Pags after that.
...
Here are some pics...
...
Tory and I on Tower of Terror. I think she's so funny in this picture. And, you can't really tell by this picture, but I'm semi wincing because every time the girl next to me raised her hands I got a big wif of her B.O. She had an accent too... I think that she is from France.

The drive up... we sat in traffic for a while, so we decided to take some pictures.

California Screamin'. SO MUCH FUN! Maybe my favorite ride at California Adventure.

In California Adventure there is a place where you go inside and they have 3 different backgrounds where you can take pictures. Tory and I took this one together, but we also took fake prom pictures together and single prom pictures. This one family sitting on benches next to us were speaking a different language and kept giving us really funny looks. It was worth it.

Seeing her made me feel like I was in high school all over again.

I love you Tor!!

The Alligators that lived upstairs...

2007-07-01T21:27:00.001-07:00

Last night I spent the night at my parents house. I was too much of a wimp to stay the night all by myself at my house. And, as I was getting tired and walking upstairs, I remembered what it felt like when I was five and had to go up stairs to brush my teeth. I hated brushing my teeth, I thought it was the worst thing in the whole wide world. It didn't matter if I had an awesome princess toothbrush or hello kitty tooth patse. I hated it. What made brushing my teeth the most awful was that I had to go upstairs, in the dark, all by myself. I was convinced that there were alligators that lived up stairs at night and that they would come out and get me. So, every night my mom and I had the same conversation:

"Ok Annie, time to go get ready for bed. Go brush your teeth."
"No, I can't. I can't go up there by myself. There's alligators."
"Annie, there are no alligators upstairs."
"Yes, yes there are. They are up there and they want to get me!"
"Ok, then let's go upstairs together."

We never saw any alligators (duh), but I was still convinced until I was six years old that alligators lived upstairs at night.

What were you afraid of when you were little?

Home Alone

2007-06-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

So, Elizabeth took off a few days for Virginia, and my other roommate Becky, just took off tonight for Europe. Which means... I have the house all to myself. Normally I would be scared, because I hate staying by myself... I get freaked out really, really easily. Wind at night, totally scary. People talking outside, creepy. And, if you knew my neighbors... you would be very afraid, I have some major weirdo's that live around me. But, not this time! This time I am going to be brave and over come my fears. And, I am very excited that I'm home alone. I'm not excited that Becky and Elizabeth are gone, I love living with them... but I feel like being all by myself will finally give me some time to get some things done that I normally wouldn't have time for. When Becky and Elizabeth are here I don't want to be responsible and do certain things; I would rather be hanging out with them watching a movie or talking... not doing chores. Because really, who likes chores anyway? NOT ME. But, what I hate even more is an unorganized house, so while they are gone I am planning to do lots of organizing and also some fun things, like:
...
- Read a magazine that I have been so excited to look through (The new Blueprint one)
- Do all of my laundry at one time and put it all away at the same time. I have a bad habit of doing one load at a time and never finishing all of my laundry at once, so I always have a pile that needs to get washed. But, not this time... I will have no dirty clothes sitting in my basket by the end of Monday!
- Wash and bleach our couch covers
- Paint the bench in our backyard, and my dresser (it's green now, but I really want to paint it pink-of course)
- Organize our bookshelves
- Clean out our pantry and fridge
- Hang some picture frames and find the perfect pictures to put in them
- Re-line shelves in the kitchen with crisp white paper

I have about 10 days to do all this.... i really hope that I can get it all done. I would feel SO accomplished!

The Mystery Spots...

2007-06-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

The past two days my roommate becky and I have been finidng these mystery spots all over the sleves of our clothes, and other things. It didn't make much sence to us becasue we have nothing sitting out in our house that would leave little black marks on our clothing, but the marks looked like we had wipped our clothes on an ink pad or something (which, obvisouly, we did not).

Anyways... tonight on our way home from seeing Ratatouille, we got inside of our house and Becky realized that I have this black stuff on my fore heard between my eyes.... What? So, we played detective and back tracked from my car to the front door looking at everything and touching everything to see if it would leave black stuff on our fingers... and, we figured it out. There are two giant bushes that sit along side of the path to our front door that have this gross gross stuff on it... ew. Since when did bushes start bleeding black grossness?

Well, mystery solved... thank goodness for Clorox Bleach! And, watch out for those weirdo bushes... I'm not sure if they stain yet, but if they do, it's a sad day.

... now if you'll excuse me, I have a couple things to go wash.

Worst song ever

2007-06-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

Tonight on my way home from the mall with Becky, I heard the WORST song I have ever heard. This is a huge statement, considering that I have been alive for 21 years and have heard my fair share of horrible songs. This tops all....

- The bum bum song by Tom Green... Stupid.
- What's up by 4 Non Blonde's... Irrelevant.

- I Would Do Anything for Love by Meatloaf... Disturbing.

- Sussudio by Phil Collins... Lame.

- Butterfly by Crazytown... Not Impressed.
- Lipgloss- Lil Mama... WORST SONG EVER.

learn about it.

Dear Lil Mama,

I think that you have some problems if the only thing that you can think to sing about is your lipgloss. You're song is dumb. I don't care about your lipgloss. I don't think that it is "cool" or "poppin'" nor do I believe you that "the boys chase you at schoo". It's lip gloss. Not love potion number 9. In your song you say, "What you know 'bout me" well, this is what I know about you...

1. you buy "Mac and L'Oreal, yup 'cause you're worf it", you also "put's it on so purfet"

2. You need to go back to school. I am not an English major but, your words are definitely not grammatically correct... nor are they even words... (purfet?... not a word)

3. I don't know of any lipgloss that can "make the boys keep stoppin'"

4. No matter how many L'Oreal watermelon crushes, that is not the reason that "all these boys got crushes"

5.Your song is not great... and neither is your lip gloss.

6. You wasted 3 minutes of my life tonight because your song is on the radio.

7. I will NOT be buying your CD.

...

I can think of better lyrics than you,

Annie Summers

This might sound crazy, but...

2007-06-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

I have been going to the same hair place and having the same lady do my hair since my sophomore year of High School. Except, the past 2 times I have gotten my hair done, I have gone to another lady...

I kind of feel like I am cheating on my old hair girl... am I crazy? Do I have a loyalty to her? Or would it be OK for me to continue to keep going to the girl that I am going to now... I just feel a little bit bad. Like I abandoned her...

thoughts...?

Feelin' hot, Hot, HOT!!

2007-06-27T23:09:00.001-07:00

Palm Springs was a blast. Sleeping in every day, laying out by the pool, hanging out with fun people, and, getting to know new people!

To make a long story short, staff retreat was amazing! And, I am VERY thankful that the hotel we stayed in had a swimming pool. It was SO hot a of couple days that the thermometer in the car that we drove to grab lunch one day read 113 degrees. Now, I could be wrong about this, but I'm pretty sure that even spa's don't get that hot...

Here are some fun pics from the trip...

Stacey, me, Bethany, and Allison. We didn't share a hotel room, but we were pretty much connected at the hip the whole trip...

The best bowling crew around. I love that Stacey is showing off the awesome shoes we all got to wear.

The car ride to the most delicious Mexican food place ever. We got in spirit and gave ourselves some bigote's (mustache's in Spanish).

As Stacy and I were on our way out to lay on our rafts and talk our last night at the hotel- we realized that our tank tops matched the colors of our rafts and had to take a picture! We had so much fun because we had the pool all to ourselves. All we did was lay on our rafts, talk and look up at the stars... it was great! I love the desert because the stars are so much easier to see!

Catching up...

2007-06-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

These are the first 15 songs that popped up on my ipod when I pushed shuffle...

1. Bend and Break- Keane
2. Back to you- John Mayer
3. Walking Man- James Taylor
4. I Can't Wait- White Stripes
5. Creepin' In- Norah Jones
6. Winding Road- Bonnie Somerville
7. Drive Away- All American Rejects
8. Grace- Phil Wickham
9. Come Back Down- Lifehouse
10. Stay With You- Goo Goo Dolls
11. Meet Me, Midnight- Renee Olstead
12. Undignified- David Crowder
13. Take On Me- Ha
14. Welcome to Paradise- Green Day
15. I've Got You Under My Skin- Michael Buble

I tag E-Money and Brian

And, THIS is a picture of my workspace. I made it a little fancy to show off how much pink I have:

I have been gone...

2007-06-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have been gone for a few days and I know that I have a few things to catch up on... like blogging "pictures of my workspace" (thanks for tagging me Brian) and what "the first 15 songs are on my ipod when I push shuffle" are (thanks for tagging me Brent)...

I also have some fun pictures that I took in Palm Springs-which is where I have been the past couple days…

I know that I have some catch up to do... so, I will blog tonight! Right now I am about to take off to one of my c-group girls dance performances... I'm so proud of her!