donuts

Why are spare tires referred to as donuts anyway? Is it because with donuts you are not able to go as fast? Or that although not a healthy meal, donuts get the job done?

Anyways, my day is filled with one donut. There is a large screw lodged into the side of my rear tire. I had to change to me spare donut and go t Discount Tire so they could order me a new one. These are to make my dad proud.

(you can see the screw on the bottom of the tire
in the trunk photo on the right)

Thus, the shiny object distracted snail gets blocked by a cyber stick that transports him through a wormhole and thus he is unable to move the centimeter he was supposed to today. The week drags on.

life...for sale as is

I feel like the week of midterms runs by so quickly, the following week feels as if it must move as a snail distracted by a shiny object just to make up for it. My co-worker and I thought it was Wednesday all day at work today...wishful thinking i suppose.

I was reading Ecc. 9:10 today that reads, "whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." I'm working two jobs currently on top of school and my ministry with the Navigators. I started off making $7/ hour at one job with no responsibility and after 3 weeks got a $1.50/hr raise! I started my other job making $9/hr and yesterday got a raise to $13 an hour and a higher position. I thank God that whatever job I have i tend to advance quickly. I'm a hard worker...my parents trained me well is what my bosses always say. I enjoy doing my work well.

These two women, one from Texas, the other from Hawaii but both vacationing in AZ, came into the Halloween store today. They both were very amiable and offered me numerous job options they thought i would be successful at due to my personality. It was cute. I don't know them, but they encouraged me to do well in my classwork and to move to either Texas or Hawaii after graduation.

And thus, monday is almost over...bring on the weekend!

friends

With my friends, i tend to categorize different songs or colors or dance moves to them in my head...so as I was thinking about that tonight, i thought I'd list a few...

• Diana (sis) - She's a Rainbow- Rolling Stones (also anything from MXPX, slowly going the way of the buffalo)
  
• Brent- Honey- Moby
• Ariel- For these moments I feel faint- Relient K (also Oops I did it Again- Brittany Spears)
  
• Alexa- Engage- Pax 217
• Alissa- Paralyzer- Finger 11
• Katy- For Good- Wicked (also Forever by Papa Roach and any country song ever basically)
  
• Ms. Escalante- We didn't start the fire- Billy Joel
• Marcel- Bad Day- Daniel Powder
• Janeen- Phil Collins- the song with the gorilla on the drums ;)
  
• Jean- Doom song- gir
• Kayla- you said- shane and shane
• Immanuel- Texican Style- Los Lonely Boys
• Dad- Copenhagen- Robert Earl Keen
• Billy- You're So Vain- Carly Simon
• Peggy- vamos a la playa
• Boo Boo- Lo -Flo Rida (also the techno song sandstorm)
  
• Sarah S.- the way you move- outkast
• Mariam- geek in pink- Jason Mraz
• Brad- "doctor, doctor i've got an emergency..."
• Sarah B.- Newsies
• Laura- Suckerpunch- Five iron Frenzy (also, raindrops keep fallin' on my head)
• Mom- wouldn't it be lovely- My Fair Lady
• Andra- Ms. Jackson-
  
• Andrea- the office theme song
• Amber- Let's pretend we live in Antartica- Of Montreal
• Christa- Satan is my Motor- Cake
• Nurge- Places you have come to fear the most- Dashboard
• Sonia- Sunrise, Sunset- Fiddler on the Roof
• Diana A. - ghetto- from Hardball
  
• Joran- All Star- Smashmouth
• James- Crash- Dave Matthews Band
• Lauren M.- gold digger- Kayne West
• Bethany- Extreme Days- Toby Mac
• Jeremiah- she will be loved- maroon 5
  
• Jordan- You gove love a bad name- Bon Jovi
  
• Emily C. - Barracuda
• Alissa- School's Out- Alice Cooper
• Josh B.- Sweet Child O Mine- Guns and Roses
• Josh M.- Beverly Hills- Weezer
• Amy- Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
• all my NZed friends- I am not ashamed
• Krystal- That's How you Know- Enchanted soundtrack
  

I know there are people and songs I am forgetting...but it's bedtime! Are there any songs you think of when you think of me?

is there such a thing as a cursed blessing?

As much as I would like to erase parts of my memory, I cannot. Sometimes I cherish my photographic memory, especially in times of testing or photography. Other times I wish I were blind.

I still remember introducing the two. A bond formed so quickly the answer to who came up with the idea alludes all of us in the story. I had a best friend and a new friend I thought would fit in perfectly. They fit great as new best friends; my old inside jokes and memories just were not enough anymore. I was ditched and these two girls explored a new territory I was unwilling to go to. One introduced the other to new friends of cigarettes and tequila. In return, those friends introduced her to Heroin and Ex.

I would be more involved in work and keeping up with the friends she turned away from, instead of biking across town to her house anymore. After the incident, I would find myself driving past her house on my way home from work praying as I passed and thanking God I had enough gasoline in my truck to make it home most nights.

I still remember her face thinned more with drugs than age had ever done before. Her fingers wavered ever so slightly as her yellowish nails struck the lighter to ignite the flame. She offered both explanations and apologies for her betrayal of my friendship and trust, and like a pressured customer at Walmart I bought the blue light sale item as soon as I recognized the deal. When I was driving home, I remember thinking if I should keep the purchase or return the as-is item for something else. I kept it. And along with it I kept the trust I thought I could give to another best friend for a very long time. No matter how much we both wanted things to go back to how they were, she didn't want to leave behind her new friends. And I knew with my whole heart I could not accept them. It would be 2 years before God blessed me with amazing friends I felt I could trust. I still cherish them so incredably much.

You only get out of something what you put in I've realized. If I put in no trust, how can I expect any in return. But to be lied to and betrayed was a feeling I had to deal with between the painted blue nails and those yellowed ungroomed ones.

She left the drugs and years later we are now in communication again. I suppose tonight, I just had a snipit of my photographic memory come back, and I'm wondering why. Where do I go from here?

pondering

NAV ATTACK in New Zealand before glowworms

NAV ATTACK in Arizona on camping trip

...some things are universal! :)

Alicia doesn't believe it is fall unless there are actual trees with leaves that change color around. if i see one more green palm tree...

I feel gypped by fall in Arizona. Where are the leaves to be crunched?!?

It is technically autumn, but there is no trace of it in the 100 degree heat and eye-glaring sun. I miss having seasons. Where's the fun in knowing everyday is going to be bright and sunny and when you get to school your back will be filled with sweat from biking. It's gross I know! Maybe I keep sleeping through my alarm because for even just a moment more I'd rather stay in the cool house dreaming about the fall days I remember from my youth. How do kids her have any creativity without leaves or ice to play in? There are somethings I'll never understand. Here's to my last year (hopefully) living without an actual fall.

run, run, run

I feel like now that I'm working I've started running to catch up with life again. SO remember that post about my alarm clock? It came back to attack me like a caged wildebeest who had been prodded one to many times before it's release. Yesterday, I missed two out of two classes -and an in-class quiz to boot- because I just didn't hear it! I even turned it up as loud as possible the night before so i could hear it! False. No success, which leads to my now messed up sleep schedule. I woke up for work today which was good, but now after not doing as well on an online test as I had hoped, I linger for tiredness to befall me so I can attempt to wake up for my classes tomorrow.

I feel like I should start one of those paper chains counting down the number of days until winter break. As desperately as I want out, I don't. I wish I knew what God wants me to do next year! Maybe I'll start claiming that I'm a sophomore or freshman so people stop asking what I'm doing next year.

Also, I needed (yes, needed) a Chai latte from Starbucks on my break today. As I swiped my debit card, I realized that my $4.16 was approximately 35 minutes of work time earnings I had just spent. Needless to say, no more Starbucks for a while.

Spirit Halloween

So I started my new job today at the halloween store. Funny how i keep finding seasonal jobs! Who knows, if Vikki is doing it, maybe i'll work for Santa again too! Anyways, I was just realizing how odd our conversation would sound to others.

"Hey, i need more blood hand prints over here!"
"Has anyone seen a sexy nurse?"
"Here's a few more skeletons for display."
"If I find one more unattached mullet!"
"I have an unarmed officer here, anyone seen the guns?"

That, along with cutting open hundreds of boxes never knowing what you'll find in them made for one interesting day! From a box of nice pumpkin buckets to a light-up throbing heart, I was kept on my feet! Needless to say, first test of the year in art history tomorrow! Bible study last night was amazing as well! Thanks for the prayers!

God reminds even fools.

I think way too often we get in the habit of hearing and not listening. Redundancy is important. Too often we hear the same things over and over and over, but they don't actually sink in. Like, I love you. Just because someone tells you that everyday doesn't mean you get it.

I started thinking about this because this morning I didn't wake up when my alarm went off. I got so used to the noise that it didn't affect me anymore. It became a clanging I could just tune out.

The beginning of another school year always seems to affirm me of Christ in my life. My old pastor wrote a book on the Bema seat and around a decade ago i went to a Teen Mania production of the book. Recently, i found a revival Teen Mania did of this play just last year and have been watching it online. It is such a good reminder of the power of God. You see, however human we are, when we walk in the Spirit, God will use however much we give of ourselves for his glory.

One of the things I love most about it, is the reminder that our struggle with sin will one day be over! I've never been imprisoned by some court here in the U.S. or elsewhere for that matter, but I have felt the bondage of sin. I imagine my first breath of free air being like that f the Count of Monte Cristo when he escaped his wrongly imprisonment and stood on that cliff side breathing in deeply.

I learned a lot in New Zealand, but part of me was thinking a lot about the 1000 years we'll all be back on a perfected earth. I was thinking of how I want to take my family to hike fox glacier and see bluer waters than I had ever before imagined. I was thinking about how I want to go with Mai to see Tokyo as she could show me where she lived and I was thinking about how I could retrace Paul's steps all over Europe with him and he could retell his story of God blinding him. Sure, the mountains and everything I experienced in New Zealand were beautiful, but it was nothing to the beautiful hearts of the people I met there.

There is a line in the Teen Mania production that struck me coming from the main character to his school mate, "I realized, that becasue she loved him, she had loved all of us." I only pray that I could do this reflecting Christ to those I meet.

What a difference one day makes.

my habit

My roommates think I'm funny, but there is just something about fresh, clean sheets that I love!

I feel like I sleep better. And knowing how much I love clean pillows, I decided to wash my sheets a couple of nights ago yet again. Nevertheless, I feel well rested!

Love it!

gefeliciteerd!

ariel's reception is in Holland this Sat. I was honored to be there in person! congrats again Kontz family.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I don't feel ready for my first class in the morning. I already took 4 online quizzes for my 2 online classes and have until Sept. 18th to read two chapters on Elvis and the Beatles. I want more of a challange.

I feel like this summer has flown by so quickly. I haven't even had time to process! I'm trying, but anxious to see what God has in store for this year. I hate misunderstanding, and sorting through this summer's events has been mentally draining for me.

I need a job. This is probably on top of my need list. Rent is due the first of the month and my tuition stipend has that covered, but then October will be close.

I am a senior. I don't know what I want, or what God wants of me after I graduate.

I just wanted to type. Somehow writting out my thoughts makes them seem more real.

*Breathing*

I'm Back!

America, America. "Welcome home," said the passport controlman at the L.A. airport.

Thank you passport man. Thank you.

World Cup- nope

My team is GONE! Goodbye Netherlands. I can't believe we lost again! At least it wasn't to the Portugese again! Next time. Orange unite!

adventures

i depart tonight for New Zealand. 14 hour flight! Pray my luggage stays with me this time. I had some difficulty with my Phoenix to San Fransisco flight and had a 5 1/2 hour delay in the desert. Katy, thank you so much for waiting so long to pick me up! Anyways, this morning I finally got my luggage from that friday flight, just in time to leave again! but m mom taught me well, i packed all my california clothes in my backpack just in case. Turns out it came in handy! Be sure to check my NZ blog at www.aliciainnewzealand.blogspot.com for updates while I am abroad!

I may not have internet for a week, so happy birthday Randy and Brad! I value your friendships so much!

i could have danced all night...

Tonight I was able to see the Broadway Revival of My Fair Lady! It was one of the musicals my mother and i would watch when I was younger. The others were The Music Man and the Sound of Music. I paid my $10 (yay for student pricing!) and took my seat. As i looked through my playbill I noticed a familiar name from my survey of musical theater class. Mrs. Higgins (Henry Higgins mother) was to be played by Marni Nixon!!!

In case you don't know who that is...it is this woman!

Sister Sophia from The Sound of Music. The one singing about how perhaps Maria isn't a problem after all but a "A will-o'-the wisp!" She also was the voice of Maria in West Side Story and sung for Aubrey Hepburn's part in the original My Fair Lady film! She has other credits, such as, Grandmother Fa in Disney's Mulan and the voice of Deborah Kerr in The King and I. At the age of 78, she was still a joy to watch on stage.

I'm really glad I went to the theater tonight!

Abee and the Screaming Monkey

Tejas..the sightseeing that matters

I hadn't written about my Texas trip yet...but it was good!

(sorry mom...you are in the back of dad's cripple pic, but it's hard to see!)

to whom it may concern...

I really like minigolf and visiting friends!

Goodbye Cruel World!!!

Today I lose an amazing roommate and friend. Alissa showed me a little bit more on how to accept love from others and aided in God's breaking down my pride through finances. She listened when I needed to tell things I couldn't share with others and allowed the occasional rant. We laughed at the same spots in movies and ate our body weight in Popsicles. I've never rocked out in cars so much or seen her car swaying in the wind. We walked to class together and took Costco trips primarily for the free samples. We sat indecisive for long periods of time and sat avoiding homework on our laptops for even longer periods of time!

Alissa...thanks for being there for me this semester! Hopefully I'll get to see you and the Cubbies in Chicago soon! Drive safe and ticketless!!!

what an amazing day!

This was my day.

• wake up
• go to church
• lunch
• help Maggie move in
• swim for hours with friends
• play baseball with a boofie board in the pool as a bat
• shower
• pizza
• hours of Mexican Train dominoes
• cake and coke floats
• 27 dresses
• *smiling*

So glad summer is officially here!