revisiting… October 27, 2008

Gosh darn, it has been awhile seen I popped on here to update!  It is gonna be hard to update all the events.  But to say the least, I have been busy-or at least it feels like it.

Just a quick update on the job thing:  I have had two first interviews.  However after interviewing for them I am realizing that I have a lot more to learn (supervisory skills, analytical skills, and project management).  I have not heard either way on the outcomes of my interviews.  I am still awaiting word from the Education Department on campus about my application for the master’s degree.  I will be following up with them this week.  I am praying God’s will.

To get into the Halloween spirit I met up with “Once Bitten Twice Lucky” to see Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on the big screen.  It was  BLAST!!!  The theater was surprisingly packed and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves!  I am so happy that I did not miss the showing.  I love Abbott and Costello–classic comedy duo at it’s best!

Fabric Patterns & Projects

Yesterday I spent the morning doing some cleaning around the house.  Afterward I went to my local scrapbooking shop only to find out that there is a big possibility they are going to close up and move to a larger city.  From what I can gather it is not a matter of if but when.  So I felt good about giving them a little business, even if it is too late.  A few doors down is a really great fabric store.  I have been looking for a specific purse pattern and by george they had that and more.  The wheels are turning on how to make extra money, and I think a variety of purses, aprons, and possibly dog accessories. I am looking forward to revisiting a hobby I have missed.

Last night I was able to chat with a new friend.  It was nice, and we have a few odd things in common: our dogs are named the same, and we drive the same make and model car.  Too funny!

I went back to GS church today.  I thought I would give it another try, and on the encouragement from “Once Bitten Twice Lucky”.  It was nice.  I am a bit sad that I am unable to attend any small groups during the week, because I think I am really missing that.  I am not sure if I should look around Sac for a Bible study during the week or if the one I am doing on my own is enough for now.  Something I need prayer in.  I am currently reading through Anxious for Nothing by John MacArthur.  It has, so far, been a really eye open and rewarding book- I am only on Chapter 4 by the way!  I strongly recommend it if you are struggling with worry, doubting God, faltering faith…

Today I cracked open the Cricut Design Studio software for my Cricut machine.  After about 45min of trying to figure out why it was not cutting correctly, I updated the firmware and it cut just great!!  Which is good, cause I was depending on it to work right for Halloween cards and the cards I am making for Laura’s retreat.

Well, that is about all for now…I will probably be posting again soon!  Thanks for stickin’ with me and my lil ‘ol Blog.

-in Christ

randomness #4 October 7, 2008

My Creative Zen took it’s last hooray – and has been retired.  So, in it’s place now is the 4th Generation iPod Nano.  This, ladies and gentlemen is my very first iPod.  So into the wee hours of the morning I was getting familiar with iTunes, and loading and re-loading my music.  When I get back to the gym I would have been lost without my tunes, and luckily I had some money saved for the purchase @ Costco ($10 cheaper than amazon/best buy/target…).  The sound quality is amazing compared to my Zen.  And now I can enjoy podcasts as well, something I have been left out of the loop of.  I have already subscribed to:  Mars Hill Church (Rob Bell’s Church) and A New Beginning (Pastor Greg Laurie).

Today there are a number of things on the agenda:  had a doctor’s appointment, my great-aunt’s funeral is today, finish my application for the Master’s program, update my checkbook, make donations on behalf of people for the breast cancer 3-Day (Due tomorrow–if you would like to donate online please go to:  http://www.the3day.org/goto/briskholly) and…whatever else I can try and fit into today.

I re-thought the whole second job thing:  in the midst of applying for a Masters in Education (Higher Education concentration) and working full time already, I think that will be plenty for now.  And before I know it training will start again for the 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day.  So, unless I do not get into the Master’s Program this time around I will re-visit that.

As for my current job…things are progressing well…Monday the 13th @ 9:30am be praying for me as I interview!

I will post soon, tonight or tomorrow, how the new church is and my new self guided Bible Study is going.

That is all for now,

-in Christ

Quick update… October 1, 2008

*What is Holly reading?* So I finished I Want to be Your Joey Ramone.  Last night I was not feeling well, so while resting in bed I was able to read the 200 pages I had left.  I admit that the book had some parts in it that I felt really uncomfortable reading about, but those occasions were building upon the main character’s ability to learn and grow from the awfulness she had gotten into.  I was relieved to have closure at the end of the book-if that is one thing that bugs the most is not having closure at the end of a book.  So now I am reading, or continuing to read Guns, Germs and Steel.  I am too embarrassed to tell you when I started this book, but gosh darn it I am going to finish this book.  Feel free to check it out @ Amazon.com.  The author has quite a few books out now, so I would like to move on from this one before I check out the others!

Today I am stopping by a few places after work and picking up job applications.  Now, close your jaw…I am looking for something part-time in addition to my current job.  I have made bad decisions with credit cards  and I would to remedy the debt by working, instead of going through another re-payment plan.  So, I am going to stop by two Christian Bookstores.  I would really like to start there first and then if those don’t pan out then I will let the blinders down and explore other opportunities.  However, if things at my FT job work out beyond my expectations I may not have to get a PT job.  Please keep me in your prayers!

Speaking of work, I got one little tiny itty bitty nugget of good information yesterday which helped me feel a little better!
Ok, that is all for now, back to work!!
-in Christ

I think I found one… September 29, 2008

no not a man… (yet…) however…

Ladies and gentleman, I think I may have found a church *applause!*.  I visited G.S. church this past Sunday.  It is about 15 minutes away, and I enjoyed it a lot more than the G.F. church.  G.S. had a churchy feel (compared to the cement laden and vastness of size at G.F. ).  It appears to be a small close knit church.  The worship was nice: drums, 3 different kinds of guitars, 3 vocalists, and a piano.  G.F. had 1 guitar and two singers on a gigantic stage.  At G.S. they take their prayer seriously, and that makes my heart and soul flutter; they have a special prayer time during their service–think small group prayer time on a large scale.  People not only raise their hands but they speak their request to the congregation.  I noticed they also have a prayer chain, and a few different times to meet for prayer during the week.  Being that I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, this is really something amazing.  The pastor was clear, concise, on point and sincere.  The sermon notes were short and sweet, unlike G.F.—*drum roll* 4 pages!  Over all I felt more at “home” at the G.S. church and I am making plans to begin their Sunday school class this coming Sunday, and attend service, where it is apparently “World Communion Day”.  I am excited and thankful; a little perplexed why it took so long for me to try this church.  Ahhh, a little bit of a relief to have this aspect of my life back in order!

This past weekend I completed traffic school–online!  Which by the way I completely recommend if you happen to find yourself in need.  In the past I had gone to traffic school in class–all we would ever end up doing is talking and answering the quiz questions as a group.  The last in class traffic school I went to had over 40 people crammed into a High School Econ. classroom.  Where each person stated why they were there and whether or not they deserved the ticket—which as you can imagine opens up a lot of discussion.  In the end we spent about an hour going over the quiz.  It was utterly ridiculous, and a co-worker’s husband did the online class, and so I thought what the heck.  I don’t even have to send anything off to the court!

Last night, courtesy of blockbuster online, I watched 27 Dresses.  Keeping in step with the week of wedding dreams and magazines!  It was a really cute movie!!  I highly recommend it if you are in the mood for a chick flick.  There were some pretty funny parts too! Next movie up is Kansas City Bomber–roller derby movie from the the early 70s.  Ahh yes, I haven’t posted about Roller Derby yet here…  well all in good time cause there is a double header coming up in October!

*What is Holly Reading?* I finished The Shack and passed it along to a co-worker, who I knew would appreciate it.  I am now reading:  I Want to be Your Joey Ramone.  Um, this book is on the complete opposite end of the book spectrum than The Shack.  I Want to be your Joey Ramone is a book that can be summed up in three words: sex, drugs and rock’n roll (ok so that is four words but you know what I ment).  It is actually written really nicely, and flows very good!

After talking with a co-worker, and realizing that I need to make me resume look better, I am going to be applying to the Grad program at CSUS, and begin work on a Masters in Higher Education.  I have been working in Higher Education now for nearly 2 years, and I feel like this is where I should be and most likely will be for sometime.  The program is 3 semesters long!!  The deadline is October 10th, but since I have my BS degree from there I won’t have to worry about sending transcripts.  I have to fill out an application, write a two page essay, and have people I know and work with asses me and my abilities.  There is also an interview process, but I am not too worried about that.

A quick note about work —for those that are following and know what is going on (don’t want to completely spill it out just yet-at least in blog form), but i have not heard anything yet–I am thinking this week is when I will know a little bit more.  I do know that all the “paperwork” was received by everyone! Please keep praying!  Sorry to be so vague…

Well at the risk of me rambling more I am signing off!  Have a blessed day!

-in Christ

short and sweet… September 26, 2008

after a long day of slight frustration and worry (re: work) I was looking forward to watching the office.  but instead my DISH NETWORK decided instead to play a PINK screen.  On the season PREMIERE?!  Seriously?

But it all worked out because I chatted with a good friend on the phone for a good chunk of the night.  Always a nice conversation–and i was laughing just as much as if I would have been watching the office…

More to come tomorrow… 

-in Christ

Relentless… September 16, 2008

So this morning I was bustin out singing all the way to work–all hour and a half!!  No talk radio today…needed a change of pace-I can only stand to hear about McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden so many times.  According to Hannity 49 days left!  Anyways… most of the singing was to worship music on various Christian Radio-KLOVE, Air1 etc..it was great!  It had been a long time since I have just belted out all the way to work.  While cruising the FM stations I cam across a Jason Aldean (country dude) and a song called “Relentless”.  I am not sure why, but now that song is stuck in my head and is now on my myspace.  I really like the music to it..course Aldean’s tone is really different too.

Relentless may also describe how I have been feeling about work.  I been in somewhat of a funk lately and things may be brightening at the end of tunnel.  So I have been in much prayer and examination about it.  I will post more about it when I know more myself-vague… I know…

I also have a few churches in mind to start visiting.  I will also keep it somewhat vague as too keep aninimity. One will be know as G.S.-a church that is approximately 15 minutes away, non-denominational.  Another will be known as G.F.- the church is approximately 20-30minutes away, also non-denominational.  Now I just have to pick which one to visit Sunday.

“What is Holly Reading?” Segment! (check out the Shelfari link to the right also!)

I am currently reading The Shack by William Paul Young.  It had a bit of a slow start, but holy moly has it picked up!!  A co-worker noticed I was reading it and we were able to chat a little about, found out she is a Christian–very cool!  I am anxious to read more of it tonight!

Well, I think that is all I have in me to ramble about this evening.

-in Christ