Jen

No two people are not on fire...

2007-10-27T18:42:00.000-07:00

So friends, I am now officially a resident of Texas. Well I don't know what it legally takes to be considered a resident but in my opinion if your car is registered in TX and you have a TX DL and live there, then that is what it takes. So today my TX DL came in the mail officially sealing the deal (well in my book). I like Texas because they have better photographers at the DMV/Dept of Public Saftey than California.

Um and if you are my friend in CA and we havn't talked recently, you should call me.

The End.

PS. I promise pictures of the new car will come soon. In the mean time just look at pictures of a 08 Mitsubishi Lancer and pretend your looking at my car :)

A tour of my home (via pictures)

2007-10-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

So my picture plan is moving to plan B, Facebook. Should be up soon.

And now the moment we've all been waiting for...

2007-10-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

okay so maybe it's not that dramatic. I am finally ready to take your all on a pictoral tour of my new residence here in Fort Worth, TX. However, appartently blogger is not, it is being very very picky about uploading my pictures so be patient as it may take some time to get all my pics uploaded. Also I will try and get some pics of my new car up as well. (While it is still new, before it also gets totalled, because seriously this metroplex is like the craziest driving I've ever done, it should be a sport like extreme driving, and I should get a prize for only totalling one car and getting no other tickets or accidents in my month of driving here.) I'll try to get pictures up soon but this is taking longer than I thought sorry.

When in Texas, do as the Texans and ....Wait...What?

2007-09-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

So here I am, I have been a Fort Worth resident for about a week and a half now. The day I went to my second interview for the job I am at, I walked out of my interview completely confident that this would be my job and that day I said to myself "I live in Fort Worth and I love it." Since then I have had to remind myself of that decision a couple times but for the most part life is good.

My job is cool, I am a Violence Prevention Facilitator, I basically work at local middle schools teaching things like Problem Solving, Empathy, Anger Management and Resisting peer pressure and gang pressure. So far so good, I'm not actually in classes for two more weeks, so things are kinda dragging at work, as I feel pretty preped, I already wrote my syllabus and everyone of my lesson plans for the entire semester. The only thing left is to buy a few more supplies for a couple activites but that's no big. I am really excited about starting schools. In my last job I was will kids so broken down and damaged that my goal was just to help them stabalize so they didn't lose placement, so prevention is something new, and something I can appreciate the importance of.

My apt is ummm...well they say if you lie enough you start to believe it. So with that said, my apartment couldn't be better. Okay I have never searched for an apartment before, a mistake was bound to happen. And after it all, I am so much more appreciative of my amazing former roommate who found us an amazing apartment last year. I also was extremely rushed by work. But the good news is I am only in a six month lease which means in march I am free to move about the city! And I have six months to find myself an awesome crib, with no pressure and with my new found apartment wisdom. So Silver Lining.

I really do like Fort Worth for the most part, although it is very different than I imagined, and I suppose that is my fault. Stereotypes are never something to be considered when building expectations regardless if they generally do come from some shred of the truth. I think I expected a big city but with the southern charm. I got the big city, now its not really that dirty or trashy, at least not compared to LA, but along with the big city I got big city people. Not the southern hospitatlity people, the same old rude, rushed, self concerned people I could find in CA. Oh well at least I'll fit in :) But there are the exceptions, so I guess I just have to work twice as hard to find them, I found them in CA and although I don't ever expect to find friends that top my CA ones, I might could (this is Texas saying which I loathe due to it's redundency, however I cannot help but laugh at also) find some that'll do, lol.

Ya'll come back now ya hear! (Texan for Peace Out Homies)

Jen

When life hands you lemonades, make lemonades.

2007-08-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Yay! So it is official I am now empoyed, woot! I got a job at a counseling agency in Fort Worth and am going to go apartment hunting tomorrow. This is the official start of my Adult life outside riverside (because I want it to be the start of something but technically speaking my adult life started 1 year ago, so I have labeled that year Riverside adult life.) I'm really excited right now, I am going to training in a couple of days then I will let everyone know more about what I do.

He's from Texas yo, they tried to annex themselves. They defintely be hatin' on the contintental United States

2007-07-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

So I've been chillin' with Nikki the past couple days, nothing new, just the same old "I don't know what to do with my life" stress that it's been for the past 2 years. 2 YEARS! Seems like enough time to figure something out, unfortuntely this is apparently a problem I lack the power to solve. When I got to OK I really thought I would stay this time, and I still might. I am not going crazy at my parent's house (most of the time). I'm a little bored but nothin' major. However I have scouted out Northeast Texas and found no jobs (except the one I turned down) and the more I'm here in Norman (the OKC area) the more I wonder if I want to live in this area. Thus eliminating all the major metropolitan areas in the region of my family. So now I wonder if I will go back, it's really expensive and that trips me up, and I don't want to be moving all over the place because that looks bad on my Resume. But I am going to go check out some jobs here in Norman on Monday and at least see how that goes. I really could use some wisdom and guidance so if anyone wants to say a few prayers for me I would defintely be grateful. Thanks a bunch!

***

2007-07-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

I don't know.

Just chewin' on some bubble wrap.

2007-07-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

So I had a couple of interviews for a marketing job in Arlington, Tx, this past week. They went really well, in fact I am almost positive I got the job, however at the end of my last interview I withdrew myself from consideration. Pretty risky move since I don't have any other inteviews lined up. But as all my friends know I'm lazy and this job wanted me to work 6 days a week! No way, plus no benefits. So I don't know what will happen next. I'm off to Norman tomorrow to check out the employment market up there and the grad programs at OU. Any prayers would be much appreciated.

Iyi Aksamlar.

College is Lame

2007-07-20T23:15:00.000-07:00

So here I am, still in Oklahoma. Weird. Anyway I am seriously getting antsy about getting my life put together. I have another job interview Monday, in Arlington. Thats far. And it's for a job in Marketing/PR, I don't even know what that is, but their ad said "Will train" and so I applied. My mom doesn't trust jobs that post online, she thinks they are websites run by perverts to get girls to come to them. I told her that there are real jobs online, haha. I don't even know how to find a job besides online???? I also found a few Social Service places in and around Norman, they don't have websites so I am going to hopefully visit those soon, if I can muster up the courage to stay with my sister. On the upside I've been running at the local college and thats fun, on the down side I hate college, it's useless. College makes people take out thousands and thousands of dollars of loans in order to get a four year degree, and then in order to get a good job to pay back those loans one must get out more loans and get another degree. I think I'm going back to school, where and what are details I haven't figured out yet, but I need things, and I need money for those things, and so I need a job, it's too bad that a Bachelor's degree either under qualifies or over qualifies me for nearly every job in the universe, this of course first assuming that a state like OK acutally has jobs. But life's not really all that bad lately minus the whole job thing which really is eating at me. I've kept myself busy and saw my sister alot, who in case you don't already know, is extremely entertaining, and mildly irritating, haha, but mostly entertaining. Alright, I suppose I will go to bed, after all I have a long day of nothing ahead of me :) I just need to think of this as vacation, I told myself this before but it's slightly harder in the moment, knowing I have bills and can't pay them. Except my loans they are wonderfully taken care of for the year, YAY!

Peace Out!

the true story about the state of Totally Erroneous eXits And Signs

2007-07-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

I took a little road trip today and some events transpired that have, shall we say, enlightened me. So as a friend I wanted to share my newfound knowledge of a very special place. Without further adeiu, the True Story of Texas:

Once upon a time, long long ago like in the 1800's a history buff named Stephan Austin moved to a place called Mexico. Stephan was an American and had like most American's become hungry for power. American's often prided themselves (much like today) on their ignorance, but not Stevie, he was different. Stevie thought back to some of his hero's such as Ghengis Khan, Napolean (not Dynamite, or the ice cream, but the french dude in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure), Christopher Columbus, and George Washington. Great leaders all skilled in the fine art of taking what is not yours and making it yours, power. He knew he too had the propensity to be a powerful man and began hatching a plan.

Stevie gathered 300 families and decided to move in. He contemplated taking over America but since it would take to long to gather an Army he thought up a better more devious plan, this one was sure to land him in the history books. First he decided to make friends with Mexico, America's arch enemy since it had more land that America wanted. After making friends with Mexico he took his 300 and moved to Mexico, continuing in his friendship, and moving in even more families. Once he had enough men gathered (to fight Mexico mind you, not America) he turned on Mexico and stole their land and together with Sam Houston, formed the Republic of Texas, were their motto was "Friendship."

After Texas had proved their strength American shortly after decided to use them as an assest, a way into Mexican land. Texas used this as a way of gaining America's trust, luring in more and more Americans. When America finally offered Texas statehood, they agreed under an opt-out clause. America thought about this but later said "Yeah but your Texas and were friends so you won't opt, it's just a formality right?" and Texas said "Friendship, thats our motto." To this day the state motto of Texas is "Friendship."

Throughout generations Texan families have been passing down the strategy. Today Texas is in the advance stages of their hostile take over, with a Texan running the country, and several others for that matter. They have also amassed the second largest land-area in the country, the second largest population in the country and the second largest economy in the country. In addition Texas has infiltrated many other things such as a DIY Store in London, a Scottish Rock Band, Counties in Oklahoma, Ohio and Missouri, as well as a Town in Australia, this all in addition to controlling all the calculators in America (Texas Instruments).

In order to protect our country I want to key you in on their primary strategy: Keep American's ignorant. I realized this today when I learned the true meaning of Texas. Yes Texas is actually an acronym for Totally Erroneous eXits And Signs. Really trying going anywhere in Texas. It is seriously harder to stay on the freeway than to get off becuase their freeways keep turning into city streets and you have to turn and stuff to follow it, which sucks but wouldn't be as big a deal if their were signs in Texas. I guess that is actually a little unfair, their are technically signs they just don't have words on them. Mostly just arrows, the only problem is I don't know what that arrow is pointing to, is it saying to turn or to merge and I still don't know if I am still following the freeway and or Highway because their are not numbers or letters on the signs. Also their streets change, like on my way to Fort Worth today I saw lots of things but on my way back those things had disappeared and there were new things I did not see before, which confused me and made me think I was going the wrong way, but then I realized what was really going on. Texas had tore down all the old structures and built new ones while I was enjoying a delicious lunch at the single most hard to get to restaraunt in the world, just to confuse me, now that's dedication. But then and there I said to myself "Trust you, not Texas." and that is what I say to you today: Trust you not Texas.

Thanks for reading my true story.

P.S. Best sign in Texas today: "Center Stripe ends in 11 feet." followed by "No center stripe." followed by "Uneven lanes." To which I said "How can you tell if the lanes are uneven since their are no stripes?!?" Don't worry Texas' had got nothing on me. I'm on to your tactics Texas.

People Should Need a Passport to Come Down Here

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

Alright I'm not gonna lie. Despite my last post these past couple days have been somewhat less than Ok. Man things have been tough lately. For starters yesterday we (myself and my mom and dad) all thought that my car had kicked the bucket, it would not start for nothing and my Dad even looked at it and could not figure anything out. But oddly enough it did start today. I'm really glad it started today, but nonetheless I gotta figure out what's going on with my car soon. Also in other bad news my computer is having beaucoup problems. For three days now at random points in time, random parts of my computer just cease to work, such as my keyboard or my moniter, however I apparently do not have a virus.

I don't know how but, I have at somepoint lost all control I had (however little it was) of any part of my life. I am living in a house that is not my home, because I have no home. My social life consists of playing with my dogs, telling my mom what I am doing every second of everyday, and telling my dad to please not smoke in my face because it makes me sick, i.e. I have no friends. I sit around in my pajamas all day getting fat(ter) because I have no job. I could go on but I'm assumming everyone gets my point. Things are dull right now but hopefully they will perk up soon.

In the good news, I do have a job interview on Monday in Fort Worth, TX. I don't really think I am qualified for the position, but they apparently thought I was qualified enough for an interview, so hopefully I can prolong their thoughts and secure myself a job. Apartments are cheap in Ft. Worth too, less to live by myself in a one bedroom than it was to share and apt in CA.

I think I'm done with my literary pity party for now.

Now for two fun facts about OK:
*OK has a monsoon season, and is currently in monsoon season.
*OK has at least as many bugs as a rainforest and it is recommended that you sleep within a bug net.

Yes each and everyday OK becomes less of a state and more of a foreign country, and that is the bright side.

Ciao Mon Aime

Oklahoma is OK

2007-07-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

Yes it's true, I have revived my old blogspot acct. I don't know how long it will last this time, but probably longer, I think. Since I live world's away from everyone now, I thought I would take a quick second and let you guys know what's been up. First of all, I never ever recommend driving for two days by yourself, it is pure torture in the worst way. I have been in OK for nearly a week and have not set foot back in my car yet. Yes I do hate being at home everyday, but the thought of getting back in my car is enough to give me a heartattack, I think I am forever scarred. On the bright side however I am dealing with OK much better than my first go round, perhaps it is my outlook, I have decided that rather than move to OK, I am on vacation....indefintely. Who knows I might have some friends moving out here soon anyway, hopefully. Now for a quick pro's and cons of OK then off to bed, but I promise I will write more soon.

Pros: Air Conditioning, Not as Hot, My Family, It's free (for now)

Cons: No Pool, Bugs, No Friends, Humidity, People talk funny

Good Night Friends!

How much does a Polar Bear Weigh?

2006-09-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

So despite my best effort the one a week blog didn't go off so well. I do have a good excuse though, I don't have internet. However I don't live in Ok anymore woot! I am back in California and today is a good day because I'm also not homeless anymore. Man the streets of Riverside are some tough places. I will have to tell you all about it later and put up pictures of Rachie and I roughing it while we were homeless. For now though I am still jobless, so if your reading this please pray for me. There is one particular position I want with Relief International but I would accept anything at this point! Okay back to job-hunting. Peace out!

The Land of Jen

2006-08-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

In a land where signs read "Walmart, next exit"...
Where everytown has a school of horseshoes...
Where people say buggy, mash, yonder and y'll...
Where humidity soars and people sit inside all day...
There you will find me. For now anyway.

I'm hoping to get myself back out to Cali for a job though. First I was excited because I had an interview with the Boy's and Girls Club in Fountain Valley. The lady who was suppossed to call me at a scheduled time did not. After an hour or so I called but they said she stepped out of her office and they would have her call me when she got in. She never called. The next day I called again, she agian said she would get back to me. The next day she did get back to me but not for an interview instead to let me know that the position had been filled. Thats Rude. Anyway CBU is hiring in Student Accts hopefully I can get that. I feel bad for Rach trying to find an apt for both of us but not being sure if I'm coming. Seriously though I need to find something to do with myself. I need purpose.

On the upside I have been watching two amazing DVD's this week. (My family bought a TV the day we moved into our house, even though we don't have our dish hooked up yet. My dad didn't want to by a DVD player though, I finally coerced him into it because my 2 DVD's are the only thing we can watch since we don't have a dish, HA!) Anyway I have been watching Amazing Race 7 (The one with Rob and Amber and Uchenna and Joyce, where they go to Istanbul), I like it, I just have to watch the season finale, which I have seen but I don't remember to well (except for who wins.) Also I seriously miss Istanbul a lot. The second DVD is my camp DVD which I also seriously miss a lot. Aww I really do miss it so much, this summer rocked my world.

Also I lost my car keys this week and had to live without my car for days. After giving up all hope my dad went to great lengths to get me another key. FYI you can go to your car dealer when you lose your key's and get replacements made for like $3, mine was $2.75, so I got three, hopefully I don't lose them all, haha.

Mmmk...So thats my week in a nutshell. Hopefully I'll be back in Cali soon, with a wicked awesome job.

PS Nik and Rachel I found where to swim to Texas, I didn't do it but I went there yesterday.

Golly Gosh

2006-08-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

I'm so irritated lately. I am first of all sick of living out of a suitcase. I mean so stinkin mad about it. And all my clothes are dirty right now, I said that and them my mom said thats a good idea let me go put some of my laundry in the wash! I was so mad! Everything in this room is a mess right now because I have been throwing clothes everywhere trying to find something. But it was a mess before anyway because we have 5 people living in this tiny apartment. I have to get out soon, my parents are on my nerves something bad. All they do is fight and bicker. If not to each other about other people. And always to me, but only do they unload to me they then have to ask "Don't you think?" I'm not gonna answer that! Gosh! So since I am so sick of hearing everyone else complain I thought that you all should have to read my complaining lol. Oh well I better go I'm still trying to get crap together so I can go house hunting with my parents. I really don't care about going house hunting but I am so sick of doing nothing all day...This slow laid back life style defintely does not work for me. Yawwnnnnnn....

In other good news I discovered that OKC has a Jack FM radio station, which is one of my favorites in Cali, so I'm stoked about that. I think thats the only upside I can think of for the time being. Maybe there will be more next week after I go up to the city and go job hunting.

I don't eat Ketchup....I eat Ice Cream

2006-08-08T16:26:00.000-07:00

I know...I know.... Long time no write. All of you in blogland probably gave up on me. Sorry. But I have been fairly busy lately. So new things since I've last written:

*I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies
*I discovered that my B.A of ICS means absolutly nothing
*I went to work at The Oaks, and had a super awesome time getting to know and minister to 5 weeks of kids.
*I moved to Oklahoma; arrived just yesterday, we will see how that fares for me

I'm sure I could give more details but for the sake of my tired mind I will spare you all. I am going to be more faithful especially now that I am seperated from many of my friends. I will try and give an update at least once a week. Okay I am going to peace out and go eat some dinner so I can go get some Brahm's (a way yummy Ice Cream place out here.)

PAR-TAY

2006-04-01T01:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight I threw a party...
okay so maybe I didn't actually throw a party but there was a party at my apartment...
alright well the party wasn't actual at my house, but it was in front of it...
Yep thats actually true.

This party I speak of began at around 11pm or so and gradually grew bigger and louder as it went on. I love parties late at night, they really help with my narcalepsy and all. And the other cool part is I'm just a rebel and I love to shun responisbility. This is perfect because first quiet hours begin at 10 but thats okay scream all night if you want to. Second the little shindig had an RA involved in fact it was partially in the RA's apartment, yeah bring the man down with us! Now its about 1:15 and the people just went home, all 100 or so of them. Gosh Golly Gee, what shall I do now? hmmm, I'm guessing I will sleep like most grown ups do at night...But I'll remember this learning experience for the real world. 1) Disturbing the peace is just a formal rule but doesn't really mean anything. 2) Consideration is not a word to be remembered by Christian Leaders. and 3) It is perfectly okay to throw parties on your neighbors lawns while they are sleeping, or trying to. Wow College is so great, how will I ever cope with out it? Maybe I will just write my BFF each day and ask him for advise on these matters :)

Life

2006-03-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

I decided today that growing up sometimes isn't very much fun. The cheif source of this lack of fun? Money. Oh course. Today I had to go get a tire replace, which pretty much sucked, but I found $5 when I was cleaning out my room, haha. I wish thats all I needed.

So I'm at home this weekend packing up my house. It's weird, and sad, yet kind of exciting. I'm VERY sad to leave this chapter of my life, but if all goes as planned (which it rarely does), my next chapter should be really great also.

Two more weeks, then Spring Break! YAY! Then two more weeks of of school, before graduation! YAY! and then off to "South Asia"! YAY! Then off to Oklahoma to move the family! Awww :( Then off to camp. YAY! Then off to somewhere (mixed feelings) haha. Hopefully somewhere equals Colorodo Springs to work with Compassion. Wow I'm an Adult, EW!

My Weekend in Ispland

2006-03-07T19:58:00.001-08:00

WOW!!! What an amazingly long weekend. I seriously feel like it was one of the hardest of my life, yet I also feel like it was one of the best. God was faithful in my weakness to be my strength, and through my trials to teach me and bless me. I honestly feel like I will never be the same. I know sometimes, ok most the time, I'm really dramatic and overexaggerate, but I'm for real when I say that I feel like I had really left the country this weekend and I learned so much. Quick run down of the highlights, because I know it might not be as meaningful to all of you as it was to me, I will be quick. Saturday highlight- Playing Bafu Bafu. This is a game where there are two teams, each are taught a new culture and then get an oppurtunity to visit a new culture. Lesson: We are so easily attached to our culture and are very quick to label anything uncomfortable as wrong. What a lesson to learn, especially as an intercultural studies major. Something to pray about for sure. Please pray for me guys as I prepare to go to "South Asia" I want to love the culture and the people. Sunday highlight: Muslim day. This could also be labeled as the worst day of my life. But I learned a lot, a lot I needed to learn. Basically the premise of the day was everyone became Muslim (except we did not worship Allah, but we did worship Christ accourding to Muslim culture). We all woke up to the call to prayer, as a woman I was forced to wear a heavy black veil all day, and be treated pretty much like dirt. I don't think anyone could understand what life is really like for Muslim women around the world without a simiulation like this and even now I have just seen the tip of the iceberg. I gained an appreciation for Muslim dedication, respect for the submissive nature of Muslim women and a deep hurt for Muslim women who suffer this everyday, who cannot at the end of the day take off the veil and be reminded that they are valuable because Christ made them. It made me want to go find a Muslim woman and just scream about how much she is loved and how much she is worth. But it also allowed me to see the cost involved in being a woman in a Muslim culture even an American like me would face some (not nearly as many as Muslim women though) of these trial if I were to move to a country like this. Since my heart is for Muslim women it has invoked a great sense of prayer in me for the women to know their worth and for me to be so content in Christ that I can go with no worries. And it made me thankful for the men in America (well the Christian ones at least) and called me to pray that God would raise up more Godly men to go to the Muslims and show them how to love too. Other huge plus bonding with my team, I love them a lot, and I'm super excited. I'm also super tired still, haha.