I feel the need to blog about 2 unrelated things…

so I am!

1. 1. I’ve always loved to cook and bake, but for some reason this year I have done it A LOT more than usual. I’ve been having fun looking up recipes and trying them out. Here are a few things I have baked for Christmas.

Rice Crispy Christmas tree


Baking makes me happy, but giving them away makes me even happier


Rice Crispy gifts



Stained Glass Christmas cookie- very yummy, but very difficult and time consuming


and my favorite...Reindeer cookies and Reindeer droppings


2. I am so Thankful this Christmas. In worldly eyes it may not seem like I have much, but in reality I have EVERYTHING I need. I am so Thankful for God, my life, family, friends, church, school (yes that’s right), job, the material things that I have…and so much more. I reflect on this tonight because of my trip to McDonalds. May sound funny, but you will understand after I explain.
Tonight my mom asked me to go get her a cheeseburger meal. When I got there I seen this girl (not much older than me), she’s a familiar face. Every time I come home I see her roaming the street and sometimes asking for food. I don’t know her story, why she lives the way she does, but I felt for her. As I looked at her standing in the rain waiting for the cars to pass so she could ask the workers for food, my heart sank. She is without food or someplace warm on Christmas Eve (tear). At this point I had already paid for me food at the first window, and I was supposed to drive up and get it, but I got the workers attention and asked them to add a double cheeseburger to my order. I noticed that she was walking away so I rolled down my widow and called out to her “excuse me,” she turns around, “would you like something to eat”, she answers “yes please”, so I told her to hold on a minuet and I will give her something. After I get the food I call her over to my car and hand her the cheeseburger. She shyly (is that a word) says thank you and I say “You are very welcome…Merry Christmas!” She walks away and then before she gets too far, she turns to me we make eye contact and she gives me a friendly nod with a slight grin. My heart sank again; I wanted to do so much more, but I didn’t know what to do. So I just prayed for her. Well I shouldn’t say just that is the best thing I could do for her.
So anyway the point of this story is not to tell you what I did, but to tell you to praise God with a thankful heart this Christmas for ALL that you have. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Thanks for reading.
Yvonne

Its a sad... sad... day

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment
community.
The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection
and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a
man who never knew how much he was kneaded.
Doughboy rose quickly in
show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half- baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.


~*~ If this made you smile for even a brief second, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else who may be having a 'crumby' day and 'kneads' a lift. ~*~

Hey you...

Please look at my blog from June 16th. I just posted it but it was a draft from this summer and it wont let me change the date on it. THANKS!!!!

Ordinary Day-, My Life on Shuffle

This was fun, you should do it (esp. you Liz because you love shuffle so much, but I will warn you it will be hard to skip to the next song without listening to it first!!)
So A LOT of my song titles were perfect for the question, which was hilarious!!!!


So if you wanna do it here are the rules...
Put Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, MP3 Player, or whatever on Shuffle.
For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
Put any comments in brackets after the song name

1.What is 2 + 2?
I Will Not Die Today- Shachah [What???]

2.If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say?
Take Me in- Shachah [I think one of lines would fit this better “Take me there”]

3.What do you think about very often?
Just Be Who I am [This is just a line from the song because I can’t find the title or artist. But this is a good answer, I remeind myself often to “just be who I am.”]

4.What do your friends think of you?
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms- Alan Jackson [I hope that my friends think that I am leaning on the everlasting arms.]

5.What do you think of your friends?
My Boo- Usher and Alicia Keys [Yep, my friends are my boos! lol!]

6.What do you think of your best friend?
Goodbye to You- Michelle Branch [That is so depressing…no its not, I will think of it is a different way then it sounds. My best friend lives in WA so I had to say goodbye, and I just said goodbye to my roomie because I left for T-Day break.]

7.What do you think of your parents?
I Care For You- Aaliyah [I do care from my mama and she cares for me =)]

8.What do you think of the person you like?
Stolen- Dashboard Confessional [Awe how perfect…you have stolen my heart.]

9.What do you like in a guy/girl?
We Fall Down- Chris Tomlin [“We Fall Down”… but he catches me. =)]

10.What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Sing, Sing, Sing- Chris Tomlin [That’s right my heart sings. =)] [Im getting a lot of Chris Tomlins Songs]

11.What will you dance to at your wedding?
I Have Been There-Mark Schultz [One of the lines says “…husband takes her by the hand…and they pray Lord all we have to give is Love.”]

12.How do you feel today? Simple-Glen Ballard [I do actually, and I LOVE it!]

13.What is your life story?
Summer Again- Dashboard Confessional [Not sure what this could mean.]

14.What is your life’s purpose?
I Will Rest in You- Jaci Velasquez [Resting in Jesus is one of my purposes, perfect song for this question.]

15.What is your motto?
For My Good- LaShun Pace [Sounds kinda self-centered, but its actually really great. The lyrics say “For my good, but for His glory.” I think that is a great motto to live by. Whatever is going on, whether I perceive it to be positive or negative, will turn out to be for my good and for His glory. AMEN PRIASE THE LORD, HALLELUJAH!!!]

16.What do you want to be when you grow up?
Praise the Father, Praise the Son-Chris Tomlin [I want to grow up praising the Lord!]

17.What is your hobby/interest?
The River-Christ Tomlin [Sure…I like the River]

18.What is your biggest fear?
Down- Shachah [the BIG down could have been my biggest fear, but I have been redeemed so I don’t fear it!]

19.What is your biggest secret?
How Long Has It Been-Mary Grey [The song talks about how long has it been since you talked to the Lord and told Him your hidden secrets. WHOA!!!!! Go listen if you do not believe me.]

20.What will they play at your funeral?
Center of Your Love- Jaci Velasquez [Pretty good song, I want people to know my life was in the center of His love.]

21.What will you post this as?
Ordinary Day- Vanessa Carlton [It has been an “ordinary day”]

Would anyone like a PEACE of pizza?

I love being at home, I get to have the good old r&r and tons of fun. My mom and I are making some yummy pizza (sorry liz) when I accidently made a peace sign. It had blog written all over it...kind of lol! I knew if I passed this blog moment up my roomie would be disappointed especially since shes missing out on my pizza. Well I just thought id share my creative moment... You should of seen my sandWITCHES earlier! Lol :)

My Best Blog...

Coming soon...its a work in progress, and I am so excited! :)

Avoiding homework!!!

I love my roomie eLIZabeth Mary Mousa, and she loves blogs, therefore I am writing a blog to say that I love her.

It has been 2 years, 4 months and 15 days since we met during Step Ahead at CBU. =) It feels like so much longer (it is huh liz...lol)!

I love you noodle!!

Wife Search...not for me of course!

Note: Names have been changed to keep the true identities disclosed.

So, today I had a meeting with Jared. Jared is someone that my roommate and I have been thinking about a lot lately. He's a really great Godly guy in need of a wife. So our goal is to find him one by the time we graduate. Since this has been occupying our thoughts lately, every time he asked me a question today, I had to filter my answers. Let me just give you an overview of the dialogue that took place between his words and my thoughts.

"How are you today?"

"I would be better if I could find you a wife...especially if you married Victoria."

"How's your roommate?"

"She's good, but she'd be better if she knew you were going to marry Victoria."

"What have you been up to lately?"

"Thinking of how to get you a wife and/or how to get you and Victoria together...cuz she needs a husband just like you!"

"Why do you want to help at this event?" (You didn't think I was going to give the name away did you?)

"So I could become your best friend and tell you you need a wife and help you find one."

"What would you do if a concerned mother came up to you and asked you if they should let their child go to CBU?"

"First of all, I would find out if she is eligible and worthy enough to marry you (cuz you need the best wife not just any wife)!"

"What are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"Perfect my plans on how to get you a wife."

Praise the Lord I didn't say any of these things out loud!

Don't worry, we'll keep you posted on the process. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated!

Wal*Mart $18.06, Bath & Body Works $16.43, choking almost killing my roomie...PRICELESS!!!

Today was so much fun and tomorrow is going to be too.

So after Liz and I's long day (that went by too fast) we decided to go to McEd's and grad a Coffee and a cone. When we arrived back at school we were talking about how close we got this weekend and than I said something really funny and Liz started cracking up. After a couple mins the laughing stopped and I looked over and my roomie was choking. I freaked out and I couldnt help her. After I realized she was ok I started laughing again and when she didnt die and could breath again, she did too. Yay!

Lesson of the day...you cant laugh if you are not breathing, and laughing is good for you so breathe. Or vice versa...I guess (breathing is over-rated!!)

Empirigetical...

look it up. =)

Ultimate sarcasm…

My two take home exams, paper and study guide is…

I seen this glitter on a pregnant girls myspace, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity of using it for my own pleasure. lol!

I hope you got a laugh out of this blog, that was my intention. =)

I need a breath of fresh air....

Well, I wanted to post a really emo status right now, but I figured that's not a very good example to the people I'm supposed to be a leader for. So I decided I would vent a little on here since I don't do that very often.

I am really frustrated and overwhelmed right now; most of the reasons being because of myself. I am really starting to regret the walls I have put up and the image that has been reflected because of it. Now I see the many "wonderful" friends I have, and the many ways I have hindered the relationships that really matter (in ways I never thought would be negative).

Way to go Yvonne (Self)!...Good Luck!!

Liz and I are...

One month closer to our wedding. Yep since September is gone and October is here we are that much closer. Oh wait dont get the wrong idea we do love each other but its not OUR wedding just our weddings to OUR husbands. (i had to clarify that because its legal now... Not moral but legal).

Liz wants me 2 take her shirt off 2nite

...

It's stinkin12:16 am...

And someone is mowing the grass next to the cottages. FOR REAL... just ask liz. It's either that or a hungry bear outside our window. Soo last year in Lancer Arms it was nocturnal birds and this year in the Cottages it's late night lawn mowers? Can't we just get some sleep we already have the peace we just need the quiet, besides our AMAZING thunderstorm sleepy music that is. Wait I have an idea... Liz you be quiet and i'll be peace. Lol! :)

The New Wanda Statue in the Caf

Me and Liz LOVE Miss. Wanda very much and we are so excited when we get to see her in the caf, and the caf isn’t the same when she isn’t in there. Soooo one day on a comment card Liz and I filled out a comment card that said “We think that you should put up a statue in the doorway of the caf to honor Miss. Wanda.” Well, today Liz and I went to the caf and guess what...they did it. Isn’t it amazing!?!?!

The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth
Sooo there isn’t really a statue of Miss. Wanda in the caf. Here’s the true story. Liz and I were going to have lunch in the caf and we gave Miss. Wanda a hug like always, then I realized I had my camera so we decided to take a picture. Miss. Wanda said “yay, now we can look at this picture when you graduate and see how much we’ve changed.” Anyways, when our friend Rachel went to take the picture we didn’t realize that it was on record. Me and Liz decided to watch it today just for fun and it was hilarious. If you watch it you will notice that when we discover that it is recording Liz and I move to go fix it and Miss. Wanda stays still, she doesn’t move at all. We thought it was hilarious, and we hope you get a few laughs out of it as well.

(S)HE put a DEAD FROG on top of my book!

Story coming soon.
Sorry I have a paper to write. =)

Yep! I use punctuation in mobile blogs.

I can't believe I'm writing a mobile blog right now. Why? Because I'm at church. Thats right I am writing a blog at church when I usually won't even text at church. It's just that I am frustrated plus Liz wants me to blog more. Why is looking for a church SO hard? Why won't God just tell me where it is He wants me to go? He didn't have a problem telling me where He didn't want me to be last year. I've been visiting churches for 5 Sundays now and I still don't know where i'm going to go or better yet where I should go. I was hoping I would know by now but since I don't, my goal is to know by Thanksgiving break. Why? So I can enjoy my home church while I'm home and when come back having a church instead of resuming my search. I wish that my home church was here. :( Ok, I am going to try to put this sad/negative attitude behind me and trust God to provide me with a church and the assurence that i'm supposed to go there just like He did 7+ years ago when He blessed me with my home church. :)

Thanks roomie...

Liz is teaching me to blog from my phone. She said I need to blog more. Oh and since im blogging you should know I just introduced her to her future husband. :)

Lesson of the day

Ok so this is a venting blog, I don't do them often so I thought I would on this SPECIAL occasion. Sorry to those of you who are waiting for my Russia blog...its coming I promise.

Well, here goes...

I REALLY need to learn to be able to be …RUDE. It really would have helped today in the park when a pedophile (can I still say that even though I am over 18?) was flirting with me.
Story… I was minding my own business, lying in the grass next to the water under a little shade tree, ducks and geese all around. I had a good book, some music and cold water.

Then a man walked up to me and started talking/flirting with me. (I am NOT using the word flirting to make me feel good about myself or attractive or any of that, believe me he WAS flirting…and I am not using that word lightly). This went on for a good 25 minuets. To get out of it I tried hinting.
EX: I told him that a friend was supposed to be calling me and I would be leaving...he didn’t get the hint. At one point he said "so did you come out here and read to be alone?" I said "Yes!!" The guess what...he DIDN'T leave. OMGosh!! I even tried texting a friend (who will go unnamed) to call me. It said "Call me NOW please." Did she...nope! She may have been busy or maybe she thought it was a joke. IDK. (I’m not mad habibi I promise, just still freaking out a bit). I even have a template text in my phone now that says “Please call me NOW. 911 For real.” A friend of mine told me I should have one.The 33 year old perv talked to me and told me his LIFE story, and then tried to get mine. Then he MADE me put his number in my phone, and told me to call him. He said anytime and he would answer and we could get together and he would share his wisdom with me. (What and the heck kind of wisdom is he talking about?) Then as he was about to ask me for mine when a little boy came up and started messing with him and he forgot to ask. HALLELUJAH!! A little later his phone rang and he had to leave. PRAISE THE LORD. Right when he turned around I left. He interrupted my peaceful time and wonderful book. See if I ever go out to a park to sit out, read and try and tan again. At least not in Fairfield... I guess that was the first problem. HA!!

Note: You may think I am making a BIG deal out of nothing, but in Fairfield you don’t just talk to random men. You will get more than conversation, for real.

P.S. Why couldn’t it have been a cute 23 year instead of a nasty 33 year old. GROSE!! I’m done venting now, if you read this thanks for “listening”! You are free to laugh! =)

Russia to me

So I know that I am posting this really really late (I uploaded it like the Sunday after I got back from Russia), and I wont list the many excuses for why it is so late, but here it is. I will hopefully post the blog that goes with it when finals are over. The only reason why I am posting it now is becuase a friend Scott who also went to Russia last summer asked me to put it on Facebook and I tried to, but it wouldnt work.

I hope you enjoyed!!! If you have any questions about my trip or Russia, I will be glad to answer them. Otherwise stay tuned for a blog. =)

More Than a Friend

March 25, 2008

So in my head this blog was going to be a lot more profound, but I cant seem to get my words to come out in type the same way there are in my thoughts. Probably because it is late, I am running on 3 hours sleep and my roomie wanted a blog so here goes it. As long as you get my drift, it wasn’t written in vain.

The day before Easter some Jehovah’s witnesses came to my door and left a flyer under it. I read the flyer and it was an invitation to their church to celebrate the death of Jesus. The whole flyer talked about being a friend of Jesus. It says that Jesus is the greatest friend because He died for us. This made me really sad, because yes Jesus is our friend but he is also the:

Everlasting Father
Healer
Helper
King of Kings
Lord of Lords
Mighty God
One and Only True God
One True Love
Prince of Peace
Prince of Peace
Ruler Overall
Son of God
Teacher
Wise Counselor
Savior of the World

This also made me sad because most Jehovah’s witnesses do not believe that they are going to spend eternity in Heaven; they believe that only 44,000 people are going to Heaven. Well, if this is true then why in the world would they consider Jesus to be the greatest friend? Any man can die for us, so this relationship would worthless. There would be no benefits and definitely not a positive outcome. What is the point? That sounds extremely selfish, but honestly. Come on! Jesus is far more than a friend, and I am so blessed to know that. Amen, Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!!


Add on thanks to Liz, my beloved roomie.

Jeremy Riddle: More Than A Friend
In the quiet of my soul In the stillness I hear Your voice callAnd I am overwhelmedAnd I am lost for wordsTo describe YouChorus:Jesus You’re more than a friendJesus You’re more than my heart could ever expressYour love and Your grace never fail meYour merciful touch always heals meYou bring joy to my soulMy heart longs to worship You my KingAnd I long to bring You a pleasing offeringAnd I am overwhelmedAnd I am lost for wordsTo describe You

Reveal Yourself To Me

North Carolina Summer of 2007

Reveal Yourself To Me

Is that you Lord?
What are you doing?
Are you reaching, holding, or asking?
Reaching out for Your lost children?
Holding tight to the redeemed?
Asking for me to trust you, come to you,
take Your hand and let You lead me?
Oh Lord You reveal Yourself everyday in everyway,
but why this time is it so unmistakable?
Or has it always been that way?
Have I just never noticed?
I don't want to miss out again Lord.
Open my eyes and reveal Yourself to me.

(C) 2007

F.A.F.S.A.

FAFSA
Frustrating All Families Since it's Alpha*
*Alpha means beginning for those of you who didn't know. What can I say? I needed an A.

Ok so once again it is time to fill out the FAFSA...oh what joy. I wish it was a joy. I am starting to think that the trouble that one, or at least most have to go through to fill out the FAFSA isn't worth the money. Don't get me wrong I am very thankful for the money and it helps me a lot, but the process is…painful.

So I am sitting in my room today, or maybe yesterday and I hear one of my roommates on the phone with her dad, you can hear the frustration in her voice. Why? FAFSA
My roomie gets back from her weekend at home, and tells me how her dad "yelled" at her this weekend; it almost brought my poor roomie to tears. I was shocked, they never argue. Why?? FAFSA, of course.

Today I call my mom because I forgot the paper with my pin on it back home. I know exactly where it is. She can't find it right away so she gets frustrated, which lead to a migraine so she told me she would call back. Later she calls me again and "swears" that the papers are not where I told her they were, I assured her that they were. This disagreement led to an argument and in tears I hung up on her. (I know that wasn't nice) She calls me back and she is already raising her voice so I told her to call me back when she cools down (still crying). She called me back a few minuets ago and guess what…it was exactly where I told her it was so she was apologizing and crying. All of this happened over what??? Guess???? FAFSA, yet again.

Ok so I am totally relieved that my mom found the papers so I can do my FAFSA, but I am still not looking forward to it. I have the worst "luck" ever when it comes to Financial Aid stuff…just ask my roomie Liz. Nothing ever works out. FAFSA paperwork in March turns into FAFSA paper work for months.

Ok well I don't usually vent in blogs, so I think I have done enough. If you read all the way through, thank you. And for all you college students out there going through the same thing, I am deeply sorry and I know exactly how you feel.

Still Breathing,
Yvonne

Memory

March 12, 2008

This day, actually month, has been very significant to me for the past 2 years, but this year was different. For some reason this month approaching was no different than any other month and u until now this day wasn’t either. I don’t really understand how I could have possible blanked, but I did. Maybe it is because I have been really busy, and have A LOT of things on my mind, or maybe it is because I am slowly forgetting. Is that normal? I’m afraid that forgetting the day means it looses its significance.

Ok so I am sure that many, if not all of you, are wondering what I am talking about. Today is the 3rd Anniversary of when my grandma passed away. As I said earlier this month came and felt no different than any other and so did today. I was sitting at my computer a few minuets before three when the date started to ring familiar in my mind. I thought to myself how in the world did I almost forget. Looking back at the last couple of days I don’t really know how I blanked because she has come up in at least to conversations. One the other day with my history paper because we were talking about how I am part Indian because my grandma was and the other time was just yesterday when I was talking with Kristen White. She asked me about the frog necklace which I wear EVERY day, and I told her that it was my grandmas, and she gave it to me just before she died.

I guess that I am not as concerned that I almost forgot the day, but I am concerned that I will forget her. Sometimes when I think about her, it is like certain things are missing. I sometimes can’t picture her, just the way I think she was. I can’t remember the sound of her voice and sometimes I can’t remember her laugh or her smile. I only vaguely remember the way she slept and the funny things that she said, the few times she talked in her sleep. They were the topic of conversation for me and my mom at the time. Why can’t I remember now? Well this is turning into a really long blog so I just want to end it with a picture and a bit of what I do remember about her. Thank you for reading!!

My grandma Doris was a beautiful woman. Eighty four years of age, but surly did not look it. She had few wrinkles, and earned those that she had. She was average in height and weight. She had short black hair with few grays; you would never know it was straight because she curled it every day. She had light skin with a slight yellow tint. Her eyes were bright blue; if someone looked deep enough, he or she could almost see her soul. Above them were thin eyebrows, somewhat penciled on. And her smile was gorgeous; it would melt a persons’ heart if they let it. My grandma had an original scent. She smelled of Ponds cream and Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum.