Random Musings

I realize that the majority of my readers are male...so GO GET YOUR WIVES real quick for me.

I have just been put in charge of a wedding shower. Now I've been to these things before, never hosted one though. So I need some ideas.

Ladies, what fun things have you done at wedding showers? What are some stories that you have from your own shower? I know some of you will have some great ideas.

Posted by Christi at 8/23/2005 10:40:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

Thanks Bry for pulling me into this whole tagging business...but hey, that's alright, it gives me something to post about.

These questions were made by Charlotte, answered by Bry, and then sent to me to answer...

First memory... Umm...probably my 3rd Christmas. It was when my sister first introduced me to the Christmas morning ritual. We would get up at 4:30 in the morning and make a pot of coffee so that we could wake mom and dad up by 5 to open presents (the rule was that we weren't allowed to wake them up unless we had a cup of coffee in hand for both of them). Now that I'm older and wiser...I STILL carry on the tradition.

First kiss... Oh man...7th grade, neighbor's house (didn't kiss the neighbor though), guy named Dennis. How embarrassing, now the whole world knows.

First concert attended... I think my parents made me go to some really lame ones when I was too young to make a decision for myself...but the first concert I CHOSE to go to was Jars of Clay with opening acts by The OC Supertones, Relient K, and Switchfoot. It was the BEST concert I have EVER been to.

First love... Yikes...I probably shouldn't answer this knowing who some of my audience is. I'll just say an old boyfriend...sigh.

First thing you think in the morning... "Ahh crap...do I have to open my eyes?"

First book you remember loving... I was/am a BIG fan of the Curious George books. There is a book out there that contains every single Curious George story in it, so if you have an extra $50 to drop, pick it up for me...my birthday is coming soon!!!

First pet... Well, my family's first pet was a cocker spaniel named Penny, but MY very own first pets (which meant that I had to be responsible for them) was a turtle and a rabbit (I got them on the same day). I don't remember their names though.

First question you'll ask in Heaven (If that's allowed)...This was probably meant to be serious, but I have way too many serious questions I could ask. But one question I must know will be phrased like this... "God...body odor? Body hair? Why?"

First place you think of when you hear the word vacation... Either the beach (so cliche, I know) or a snowy mountain. I would love to be at either place right now.

First best friend... Channin and Sharon (they were twins).

Last time you dressed up... yesterday and tomorrow. Today was my day off but I have to dress up everyday for work.

Last CD bought... It's not a newly released CD, but I just got Bebo Norman "Ten Thousand Days"

Last time you cried... Umm...three weeks ago?

Last time you told someone you loved them... Tonight...I was hanging out with some of my favorite people in the world.

Last really fun thing you did... Ropes Course training (see previous post).

Last thing you watched on T.V... An episode of 7th Heaven like a week ago.

Last Halloween costume... I didn't dress up at all, but went around getting candy by saying that my costume was "a college student."

Last thing you ate... a really HUGE peach. It was delicious.

Last time you had a really moving spiritual experience... tonight. I went to the TNT to hang out with my teenagers, and even though I was in the middle of some really distracting kids, I was able to focus and praise God the way that I needed to, and the way that I haven't for a little while now.

Posted by Christi at 8/23/2005 10:12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

I realize that it's Thursday, a few days past when I should have written this, but I just have to write about what an amazing weekend I had.

First of all, it was yet another time that I was able to go out to the fabulous Camp Yamhill. This time, however, for different reasons. This weekend was a training weekend on how to facilitate the ropes course that they have out there. Let me just say that I walked in with a completely distorted idea of what all was going to happen. I guess I really didn't know what to expect, but I didn't realize that I would actually be doing EVERYTHING as a PARTICIPANT as well as a FACILITATOR. That means that I was learning to belay, rappel, clip, glide, string, rescue gear, rescue people, and a multitude of other tasks. I walked in knowing absolutely nothing, and walked away knowing just as much as people who have been doing this stuff for a while. A few picture examples would include belaying as well as climbing and walking the Catwalk (a log attached between two trees at about 30' up)... Another example would include the High Circuit, which has many different elements to it, but one element being the swings at about 25' up... And of course there's the rock wall...climbing, belaying, rappelling, and ziplining from it... Needless to say from the title, I walked away from the weekend with a large number of battle wounds. But they were SO worth it.

The second reason why this weekend was awesome is going to sound a bit weird at first, but let me explain before you come to any hasty judgments. This weekend was great because I was the ONLY girl in the midst of several guys (told you it would sound funny). It was so wonderful though because I was in the midst of guys that I have known for years, and FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, was treated AS A GIRL! I've always been better friends with guys rather than girls. I've always been "the best friend" or "just one of the guys." A girl can only take so much of that before she starts to doubt her feminine qualities. This weekend, however, was completely different. Now I know how these boys are in real life...but when I was around they watched the crude jokes, they held in their bodily functions, and best of all, they continually praised me and told me how proud they were of me. It felt so nice. They did teach me to play poker with them, but I'll let that one slide.

So if any of you wanna go climb a rock wall, just let me know!!!

***NOTE: These pictures were borrowed from the Challenge Camp website and are not actually of me...but used to illustrate my point.***

Posted by Christi at 8/18/2005 08:25:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

As I've spent the majority of last week (as well as the remainder of this week) back up in Portland due to my job training, I've realized some remarkable differences between my hometown and my new residence of Salem...

1. NIGHT LIFE!!! This is probably one of the biggest reasons that I miss Portland. With the exception of one or two key places, Salem is a bona fide ghost town at night. If you're driving past 9:30 pm, you realize that you're maybe one of three cars on the road and the other two cars are policemen. Because of the aforementioned ghost town quality, there is also a lack of people watching (one of my favorite things to do). Portland, on the other hand, is a night owl's playground. Even at 1:00 am you will always be able to find something to do. You will also be continually amazed by the variety of people walking the streets (especially down by Pioneer Courthouse Square). And best of all, there is ALWAYS something new to be discovered or something you've never done before in Portland, even if you've lived there your entire life.
***I have to admit that the last statement is also true of Salem at this point because I am a newbie to town and have much to experience.

2. LOCATION. Portland is nestled inbetween many great features. An hour and a half to the East and you have Mt. Hood, an hour and a half to the West you have the beach (I sound like a Cascade commercial right now for all of you who have ever been recruited their). Beaverton, Vancouver, Gresham, Clackamas, and many other great suburbs that have fascinating attributes are only minutes away. Salem has Keizer and I suppose I could include Corvallis (which are both super cool towns in my mind), but then all the remaining perimeter seems like desert land. Salem is actually closer to the beach than Portland, which is definitely nice, but to really get anywhere from Salem is at least an hour drive.

3. FRIENDS. I have amazing, wonderful friends in Salem. They have been awesome and have helped me a great deal since I've been there. I haven't known them all that long, but they hold a special place in my heart. But I have to confess that there is something more to be said for people who have had such a huge impact and a special meaning in my life for at least the last 4 years, if not longer (all of which live in the Portland area). When you're the only person of a group that lives a significant distance away, no one wants to drive all the way to see you...but rather expect you to make the drive to see the rest of the group.

I did NOT in any way intend for this to sound like a Salem-bashing post. There are many things about Salem that I love. This was just my attempt to relay how much I miss Portland right now and that the adjustment I made to Salem hasn't quite kicked in yet. I thought I would adapt quicker, but that is okay...and change is good. I know that when you're outside your comfort bubble is when the most growth occurs, and that I am ready for.

Posted by Christi at 8/15/2005 09:33:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

I wonder just how many people actually still read this blog, considering there has been no activity in the last couple of weeks. To my faithful readers (whoever you may be), thanks for sticking with me. To make up for time lost and express how much I value each of you, I will now post some very embarrassing pictures of myself for your viewing pleasure.



These pictures were taken at the last camp I was at (Jr. Teen for middle school kids). We had a slip and slide that was at least 35 feet long that we used. We had what we affectionately called "The Slip and Slide Olympics" on Thursday. In order to even qualify for the semi-finals, you had to be able to (without stepping on the plastic to begin with or pushing yourself with your arms) slide off the end of the plastic into the grass. It was an intense competition. I was the only girl that qualified for the semi-finals, but alas, that's where my glory died. I didn't make it into the top 5. Congratulations goes out to David Rude for his second winning year!

This summer has definitely been interesting. It's had it's share of amazing, inspiring, God-filled moments, but in the same breath I can tell you that it has been the most difficult time in my life. But, inspite of the negative things, God has also opened many doors. I continue to thank Him for being faithful (even when I don't want to be). A few other updates would include...but are not limited to...

*It feels like a sauna in my apartment.
*I haven't worn my Chacos enough this summer to get the cool tan line that I wanted.
*I am, however, burnt to a crisp on the upper half of my body...and am peeling (gross).
*I get to start a GREAT job on Monday.
*My good friend Kelsey Ann is now engaged!
*I want a puppy very very badly (but realize that it would be a very bad idea right now).
*Friends Season 10 has just been announced to be released November 15...who's excited??? I AM!

That's all for now. Until next time...

Posted by Christi at 8/03/2005 05:17:00 PM | Permalink | Comments