que sera, sera

Beauty in life

2009-05-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

I'm finally proud of who I am. I'm not ashamed of anything, I'm not regretting something I did yesterday, I'm not wishing with every bone in my body that there was a husband laying next to me in bed, I'm not jealous of girls who have roommates, I'm not embarrassed that I don't work in a stuffy office with stuffy people wearing stuffy clothes at stuffy hours in the morning.

I am me, and I am finally and officially okay with it.

I sleep in every day. Sometimes til noon. To some, this might appear as laziness, but really its getting my necessary hours of sleep just like you do, only difference is-- I went to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning. :) I am a night-owl, and I have night-owl friends. I don't have to be to work until 3 in the afternoon during the week, sometimes mornings on the weekends, but usually it is good ol 3pm when I'm strolling into my job which I love.

Speaking of friends, I have a lot of them. For a while, I thought I had no friends. I even jokingly said that quite often to my poor sister everytime I talked to her on the phone (which is like 100 times a day), to which she could only say "Yes, you do!" haha. I finally realized... I do. I have a lot of friends. Its just different than high school where all your friends are also friends with each other. I have a lot of friends, all of which very, very different from each other and all very, very beautiful people. They are from all different parts of my life, current and in the past, and I love them. Some of them could not be more different than me, but I think thats what makes our friendship amazing.

I am not married. I am single. I cannot believe I can say this, but I love that about myself. I have finally stopped thinking I'm old (for heaven's sake, I am 23 years old), and realized that I just happen to be surrounded by several people who have gotten married young, and it has falsely given me the illusion that I should be married by now too and there is something wrong with me! Wow, that could not be more wrong. I love my married friends and I love their husbands, and their marriages are an inspiration to the kind of relationship I want to have one day. :) But, obviously, its not my turn yet. I can say with a deep breath of fresh air, that I am okay with that.

I love my city. I love the downtown musical artistic beauty of it, and I love the north part of the city where Lake Travis and my life reside. I do, however, plan on living downtown as soon as possible. I love the festivals, the live music, the streets, the people, the people, the people. As Willie Nelson said, "There's a freedom you begin to feel, the closer you get to Austin Texas."

I will be moving to Phoenix, Arizona this November to live with my wonderful family for 6-9 months. The first purpose of moving there is to pay off some debt I've had for a while. That will actually either be gone by the time I move there, or will have very little left. The next purpose, and most exciting one, is to save for a trip to Greece next year with my sister and any other girls that want to come with us. Santorini, Greece has been calling my name for quite some time and it's time I go say hi to her.

Apart from all the other aspects of myself, the biggest and most important part of my life who defines who I am is my passionate romance story with my Creator. He reminds me every single day in tiny (sometimes not so tiny) ways that He loves me and wants to have a love story with me. I am who I am because of His Love, I am a positive person because He has given me a reason to smile and to be positive. The Holy Spirit lives in me and is the reason for every single decision I make for His Kingdom.

Okay, thats all for now. I really, really hope to be blogging more often. I come to the library to get online once or twice a week.

Til then!
Christi

Life!

2009-01-17T10:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, life has definitely gotten in the way of blogging. Well, that and the fact that Becky and I have to scavenge my apartment every once in a while to find a hot spot for stealing internet. But, the place we have it right now seems to be sticking around and not disappearing on us or suddenly requiring a password, so here I ammmm.

I guess I'll just update you on my life because that is all I can really think of to write about.

There are three cats in my apartment terrorizing us! I love them though. They will be gone in a couple days when my sister returns to school on monday. I'm thinking about letting her take all three of them. Even though I'd miss Syd terribly, I have to say it'd be nice to live cat free for a few weeks. Sydney knocks over every single cup she can find. The fact that it is full of water or some other beverage doesn't stop her. She knocks it over no matter what. Chester seems to do it too behind our backs, but Sydney is definitely the worst. So- it'll be nice not to be running across the room reaching for the cup that her paw is slowly coming up to bat at. She looks innocent enough, but she definitely has a little terrorizer in her.

As for work, I'm still at Rudy's. I plan on staying there for as long as I continue getting promoted. Soon, I will be getting interviewed for a trainer position at my location. I've always thought that'd be a cool thing to do. I've worked at Rudy's for a total of about 3 years since 2005. If I'd never left, I would be hitting four years. I feel like I know the place pretty dang well, in and out, and can answer just about any question a new hire might have. So I will definitely like being a trainer if I get the position. They also are aware that I'd love to work at the corporate office on 183 (right next to the Rudy's on 183) and do whatever they'd like me to do there. Seriously, I'd take any position there. It's K&N Management, they own all four austin-are Rudy's and are the creators and runners of Mighty Fine which is opening up two more locations at the beginning of this year. I would just love to be involved in any way possible. Basically, I freaking love my job. I don't dread going to it, I never call in sick even when I am sick, I laugh and smile the entire time I'm there-- I feel like I'm hanging out with a bunch of people I absolutely love. I wouldn't change a thing except maybe a raise haha. But, I do want to progress in the company.

As for church, I'm singing again- back on stage!!- at True Life Fellowship which might as well be a small branch of Church of the Hills. I know a lot of people that go there from COTH back in the day, and I get to sing, so I am happy. I have to admit, me being a complete non morning person does not mix well with getting to church at 7 in the morning on sundays to practice for two hours and then sing in two services. But, I do it and am glad for it every Sunday.

As for my life, it is good. I am single and learning how to function that way. Its been interesting and kind of funny. If you know me well, you know the funny parts and the diversity of my... involvements. Shut up Becky. :) My friends are amazing. I've become really close with several people at work, and I love it. My friends outside of work are also spectacular. I see my sister every day which I love and will be severely bummed when she leaves on Monday. I see Audra quite often and I've found that things are just funnier when she's around and I think she feels the same way about me. I talk to Brittany pretty much every single day and even though she's so far away, I still feel her right smack dab in the middle of my heart and we are just as close as ever. My good friend Courtney just got engaged! She's one of the "seven girls" from my high school days, and I get to be a bridesmaid and I'm so dadgum excited to be involved. As for Karen, I do wish I got to see her more. She might as well live on the other side of the planet! But when we do get together for lunch or dinner or whatever it might be, its like no time has passed. I especially love it when we seem to revert back to the Karen and Christi personalities from highschool. We did that not too long ago over a weekend where there was an alumni basketball game at our highschool. We were out at the basketball goal that we spent soo much time at in the beginning years of our friendship, and I was on cloud nine being out there with her! Kristina and I talk all the time, and her husband and I have a pretty hilarious relationship. I love it when I become buddy/buddy with my friends' husbands! I go visit them every chance I get and she is definitely and will always be my BOAT. tee hee.

Whew! Didn't mean to get off onto an extreme tangent like that!

There is a kitty in my lap who wants attention. Until next time,
Christi

Ohhh the usual.

2008-12-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

Well, once again, looks like things could be a-changin for me in life soon!

I don't have much else to write about... except that I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Time with the 'rents is few and far between, and so muchly appreciated. I'm excited to go spend Christmas in their part of the world. Well, it feels far anyway. Only two states away.

I wish I had something interesting to post... maybe I will in a few days. I'll stumble upon something funny or interesting online and share it with your thirsty souls. Hehe.

Just so you know...

2008-11-25T10:06:00.001-08:00

It sucks not having internet.

Please comment to let me know I still have some readers!

Biggest OOPS I've ever made at Rudy's BBQ. This is a must read.

2008-10-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

I have worked at Rudy's for the majority of my life since March of 2005. I've had my ups and downs, I've gotten in trouble for little things like standing around, or clocking in late, etc. But never... have I ever... experienced what went down two days ago.

So, on the registers at Rudy's, there is a button called "Change Quantity." It comes in really hand if, say, someone is buying like 10 jalapeno's. Instead of having to push the jalapeno button 10 times, you can hit "change quantity" then select "10" and THEN hit the jalapeno button. Well, one night two weeks ago, my dear friend Haylea and I were in the Country Store and were bored.

We decided to see how much over a 10 million pounds of brisket would cost. It came out to about 99 million dollars or so. Of course, I didn't cash it out, I just simply voided the item and deleted the ticket. I noticed that when I voided it, the computer lagged a little, which rarely happens, but I didn't think anything of it.

Well, two days ago (a week after the innocent incident), I get to work and immediately get taken to the office.

The sales for last week were approximately 99 million dollars off. And, to top it off, my little boredom adventure shut down the entire hard drive system at the corporate office of Rudy's because it was such a massive, insane amount- that the hard drive couldn't handle it.

To say the least... I was speechless.
The owners are involved, the corporate guys that work high up in Rudy's are involved. An email was sent out to all four locations, all the GMs and all the managers, WITH MY NAME IN IT, explaining what happened. They are making every Rudy's employee sign a piece of paper saying they will not play around with high quantities of food on the registers, and if anyone does, the result is immediate termination.

.............my bad

I move in two days....

2008-10-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

I have two boxes packed.
And no time.

So basically, so far this is how things are looking like they're going to turn out...

Bejing Olympics Lego Model!

2008-10-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

So cool! Read the article and see more pictures here.

Here I come

2008-10-18T19:30:00.001-07:00

23.

2008-10-10T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I turned 23 today.
Lemme rephrase...
Well, I turned old today.

So I did some musical 23 research, just for fun. Via Wikipedia.

* The doorway David Bowie stands in on the Ziggy Stardust album is number 23.
* Several songs and albums use the number 23 as their titles, including Tristan Prettyman's debut album, the eleventh song from Tool's fourth full-length studio album 10,000 Days, "Viginti Tres" (Latin for twenty-three).
* Blonde Redhead have the album '23' and the song with the same name.
* Jimmy Eat World's song "23" appeared on their album Futures. The number also appears in the songs "Christmas Card" and "12.23.95" as well as on some items of clothing produced by the band.
* Four tet and Yellowcard both have songs titled "Twenty-Three".
* The song "Aquarius", by Boards of Canada, runs through a series of random spoken numbers which ends with the number twenty-three.
* On the album Enema of the State the song What's My Age Again? by Blink 182. There is a lyric that states "nobody likes you when you're 23"

Not sure how I feel about that last one!

Yay for finishing my twenty third year and embarking on my twenty fourth.

I feel like myself.

2008-10-06T16:08:00.001-07:00

I get to be her again tonight.

:)

The power of my God in an ungodly place

2008-10-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

Tonight at work, one of the most worldly places I personally am involved with on a regular basis, I prayed for someone who has cancer.

My God heals. He is not the God of cancer, He is the ultimate Healer.

"Let Your will be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN."

He has no will for cancer and disease in Heaven, so I believe He has no will for it here. He is the ultimate Healer. So, in the parking lot, I prayed for her while she sobbed because no one in her life had ever prayed over her... wow. What a blessing for me to be the first person to be able to do that for her, but so sad that no one ever had.

I've never, in my almost four years at Rudy's, prayed for a coworker while they were with me and listening to me, and definitely haven't done it while at Rudy's.

Where two or more are gathered...

Yes, Lord

2008-09-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

Just a warning-- I'm going to be very real and open in this entry. If you think it might upset you, or that you won't really read all of it and take what I'm saying to heart, then it's ok if you don't read it. It's all very hard for me to type... but, I know that God can use me and my situation to encourage others and to spread hope among other people by letting them learn from what I'm being brought through. But, it's pretty emotional... just so ya know. I am not sharing this for attention, I am honestly sharing it in hope that it can let my close friends and family see into my heart a little deeper, and to maybe, like I said, learn from my life. I want to be a light through all of this.
----------------

Tonight when I was driving home after hanging out with my good friends Ashleigh and Audra out in Leander, I started feeling really lonely like I sometimes do when I leave my friends and head home to a big empty house.

Times have been really hard lately. Because of several reasons, I am more alone now than I have been in a very, very long time. It's almost as if I'm a smaller person now. Parts of me are missing... I'm shrinking. People are far away in the literal and non literal sense. Every day I wake up with at least a slight ache in my chest, most likely left over from the hours of trying to go to sleep the night before but not being able to because my head is full of thoughts, questions, and sometimes a lot of crying. I am being refined- being brought through the Refiner's fire. I'm being pressed, burned, molded, pulled, pushed and broken into the shape I'm supposed to be. I am shrinking, I am becoming less, which is making Him become more. It is an often used phrase, but I'm really starting to see the truth of it played out in my life. There are different seasons in the Christian life than the kind I am in, but these seem to be the most memorable and trying by far.

So, back to my drive home. There I am, driving home, feeling the ache that has been so present in my body lately, and being incredibly tempted to call or text message a person that has been in my life heavily for the past year, but knowing I shouldn't. I should not be comforted so easily by a human when it is an ache as huge and all encompassing as the one that is in my chest. I must turn to the Healer, not His creation in a time like this. I just kept thinking about how badly I wanted to contact this person, just to talk to them, then I knew I'd feel better. Then, once I convince myself that would just not be a good idea at all, I start running through my head the different friends I could send a text message and cry to about my ache and how lonely and sad I was feeling. That still didn't feel right.

It didn't feel right because Who I should be turning to in times where the ache is overwhelming and the desire to be loved and comforted and wanted takes over my mind and body, is my God. I should call upon Him. I should talk to Him like I would any of my friends.

So, I say, "Lord..."

Instantly, peace filled me. The ache was gone. The hole was sealed. The searing pain that sometimes seems to line my heart was cooled. I couldn't believe it- I started laughing. I went from sitting in my dark car, driving a long a dark road, crying... to laughing and feeling so joyful and free. All it took was calling His name. I thought of the things I was going to tell Him, about how lonely and rejected I felt, but those feelings didn't exist anymore. It seemed pointless to list off the emotions that were filling me just seconds before, because they were absent by just speaking His name. How beautiful, and how simple!

I then spent the rest of my night running to the grocery store and getting a few necessities, and then swinging over to Starbucks to get my favorite drink and sit in there for a little while. To the world's eyes, I might have been alone, little did they know Who I was hanging out with.

I know the pain will come in waves. My flesh takes over my mind, I feel the overwhelming sadness, I cry, I lay broken in my empty house feeling the pressure of all the emptiness weighing down on me. But, tonight God showed me how to call on Him and how quickly He moves in my heart.

Let the lyrics of this song be the song of my heart forever and for always.

"O Lord bless me and keep me,
Cause Your face to shine on me.
Lord be gracious,
Lift the light of Your countenance;
Give me peace.

For I live only to see your face so shine on me

Let the light of Your face
Shine down on my heart
And let me feel it"

listen to this song -- click.

"Nuttin bit Strings"

2008-09-25T18:39:00.001-07:00

Kristina showed me this tonight. Very cool.

Random things I find in the wee hours of the morning

2008-09-23T22:40:00.001-07:00

Ohh, Austin. (Click image to make it bigger and read what it says)

Baller bling bike. And some alliteration.

Gotta get me one of these.

Beat Boxing maniac kid

2008-09-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

Becky has this on her blog, and I thought it was amazing.
My favorite part is Snoop Dog!

Cat slooowly sneaking up!

2008-09-20T22:03:00.001-07:00

Craig and I watched this on best of youtube the other night and I thought it was soooooo funny.

Whatta fatty

2008-09-18T10:23:00.001-07:00

The Anti-theft Lunch Bag

2008-09-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

Thought this was a really clever idea! A bag with mold-like colors on it... so when you put your lunch in it, NO ONE will want to steal it.

Good for roomies, co workers, or family to be kept away:)

He gives and takes away

2008-09-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

I asked for change. I didn't realize what I was getting myself into! My life is not the same as it was this time two months ago. Not in the least.

-Brittany and John left for North Carolina today.
-My sister just left to go back to Nacogdoches and won't be coming home next weekend like she seems to have been doing since school started back up.
-My parents are going to rent this house that I'm living in out to people, so I gotta get my butt outta here.
-I will probably be living in Houston with Kristina and Arthur until Christmas time.
-I won't be working at Rudy's anymore and maybe for good this time.
-When I move out of here, I won't have an official "home" in Austin until I come back in Christmas and get an apartment.

And so much more it seems.
Oh! And it feels like fall outside:) Oh, my how I am enjoying today's weather. I love, love, love, love the cool breeze and overcast sky. Mmm.

Christi-- the freelance writer?

2008-09-13T19:38:00.001-07:00

Could be far fetched, I know. But I have been told so many times by several people that I should be a writer. I've taken to heart what I've heard before and tried (numerous times...) to start writing stories, but I always end up becoming severely uninterested in what I have started, and the story never gets finished. I really do love to write, though. So, as of late, I have been searching the depths of the world of Craigslist in hope to find someone, something, some organization that would hire me to write articles on, well, whatever they please! I know it's so far fetched. I have no degree-- no nothing!-- in writing whatsoever. I only attended college for a semester and a half. But, oh well. I have a passion for writing. I could take some classes if it turns out I have holes in my knowledge about writing and grammar. All I know is that I absolutely love it, and I've come across something called Dynasty Magazine, and they are searching for freelance writers to write articles for their fashion magazine. In the ad on Craigslist, it says nothing about college degrees or experience or anything-- they just simply want me to submit an example of my writing, and bada boom bada bing-- you're hired! If they like you, of course. It's a salary paid job with benefits. So, what the heck? Why not try?

I'm gonna.

Tomorrow after I get off work, I'm dragging my sister downtown (thank you hurricane Ike for keeping her in Austin longer than she planned), finding Austin-fashioned-up people, pulling them aside, taking their picture, possibly interviewing them, and constructing an article from that. On the streets fashion! How fun.

The magazine will probably smell my article reeking of novice skills, but what do I have to lose? I know I'll have fun doing it. Ohhh, fun fun. I will keep you updated.

Over and out-
Christi, the fashion expert. (pshhhaha)

My new anthem.

2008-09-12T16:23:00.001-07:00

"There is a light that shines within me,

there is a hope that burns inside me.

Deep within my soul, my very existence,

there is a being waiting to be freed.

A child who knows no fear, pain, or rejection.

There is an emotion all encompassing of

excitement, joyfulness, gladness, and love.

The creative potential of laughter

and the undeniable power of an infants joy live inside me.

Unmeasurable are my limits for I call You FATHER.

Unimaginable my potential for You have called me daughter.

There is someone inside of me, waiting to be unleashed,

whom You embrace, whom I long to be.

There is an all consuming fire,

a light that permeates from my very being.

You have unlocked me, God.

The doors You open, no man can shut.

I will praise You for all my days, for You are good.

You have released me, God, with Your love.

You are EVERYTHING."

Oh, how untied I am!

2008-09-11T15:59:00.003-07:00

I am...

Currently...

Looking a jobs on Craigslist...

In Manhattan.

Well, I asked for change, didn't I?

2008-09-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

I sure got it.

My current mental status is...

Scared. Excited. Confused. Impatient. Ready. Not ready. Scared. Worried. Sad. Happy. Relieved. Tired. Scared. Let down. Dreading. Nervous. Questioning. Prepared. Scared. Slightly insane. Basket case. Calm. Pumped. Scared.

But that's okay, because even though I'm a crazy, inconsistent, fickle, don't-know-what-the-heck-I'm-doing human... God is not. And my God reigns.

--Anyways--

I think I might possibly be getting that *ok I'm tired of Rudy's again* itch. But, this time around, I'm not being so hasty in my decision to hurry up and find a new job and get the heck outta there. I'm dabbling here and there in all my thoughts. I basically in life have nothing tying me down to anywhere. Hmmm... that's a freeing thought. So, I am patiently waiting and seeing what doors God might open, meanwhile getting closer and closer to when my year anniversary (this time around) hits at Rudy's and I get to use my week paid vacation. That isn't until January, so I have some time.

I'm afraid of getting another office job, even though my initial "oh! oh! oh!" feelings are making me think I do want one. But, I've done that twice. Once at a boring bank (please, just don't ever be a teller if you are a social person that likes to keep busy), and another time at a Surgery Center. Both times I ended up disliking almost everything about it, and I came back to Rudy's. Twice. I don't want that to happen again. When I leave this time, it's gotta be for good! I want to work somewhere that I love, that loves me, and that I don't mind waking up at (what I consider to be) ungodly hours of the morning to go to on Monday - Friday. Is that even possible? Can I really, truly, finally become a so-so morning person and make it work? Can I get myself out of the stinking restaurant business and sit myself down in an office and not itch to be running around helping customers?

What I'd REALLY like would be something in the corporate office of K&N Management (the owners of all Austin Rudy's locations, and Mighty Fine) to open up so I could snag that and still work for this amazing company and have fun and work with people I already know, but not still have to be actually IN the restaurant. Please, please, pretty please, God??

Blah. Life.

Boobah...?

2008-09-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

I've come across this before... and even then, I didn't know what to do with myself.

I find myself continuing to play with it though... I'm pretty sure I know what kind of people it's made for, to say the least.

It's just... so strange. Just go do it yourself.
Click.

On November 10th, my life will be complete.

2008-09-04T13:35:00.001-07:00

www.yearbookyourself.com

2008-09-03T09:07:00.001-07:00

Be sure to click on that to see my funny yearbook yourself pictures. Haha

Randomness

2008-09-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

I wonder... why did God make squirrels so, well, not smart?
I'm coming at you at 30 mph. You need to move.

Here are some good lyrics.

Hope Now
Addison Road

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

So true.

2008-08-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Be sure to click on it to make it bigger.

From this blog I found.

Oh, and this "piece of flair" from Facebook is BLOWING my freakin MIND.

A good day.

2008-08-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

Well, life has recently gone back to the way it was approximately 3 months ago (almost). The sister is gone, and so are the two little critters she brought with her. There, I am left here with a empty two story house and a very lonely critter of my own who absolutely will not leave me alone and makes me trip every step I take because she's wrapped around my ankles, and gets into bed with me, and when I try to get a break and come up on the computer-- this happens.

It's quite sad, really. I'm gone at work, or over at Craig's or out running an endless amount of errands (which seem to be piling up a lot the past few days) and so she's left alone in the house, and then smothers me when I return. It's a good thing she's cute and furry or else it might get annoying.

Anyways, onto a more serious topic.
Today, for no apparent reason (besides the obvious fact that I am loved by the Creator of everything), I was showered with a bright, positive, optimistic, happy, excited feeling about life. I all of the sudden felt light, weightless, and worryless. Which, let me tell you, doesn't happen often due to my own downfalls of not completely trusting in the Lord. But it came. I have been feeling restless and anxious and ready to just do anything else besides the monotony of what I'm doing right now, but I could tell that I was being asked to be patient. Well, today, that antsy feeling was gone. I feel like what I am anticipating (even though it hasn't been fully revealed to me yet) is coming soon. Or, at least will be revealed completely to me soon.

There are several things I'm praying about which could take me out of state to several possible destinations, which is exciting (and scary) for me. But... so far... I have the support of every important person in my life. That shows me that I am truly loved if the people I hold closest and I know hold me close as well, are supportive of me leaving. How selfless and how beautiful and how freeing.

I truly give myself to my God, and I cannot to see where that sends me. I am not afraid!

Amazing paper sculptures

2008-08-24T17:54:00.001-07:00

These are all three dimensional little paper sculptures, cut from the paper, and then stood up in a way that its still connected to the piece of paper. Very cool.

More here.

Rain stories.

2008-08-21T14:20:00.001-07:00

Today, on my way out to a cemetary, my sister and I drove through rain. A lot of rain. The kind where you can't see where you're driving.

I think I might have mentioned in the past that I love rain. If I didn't, and you don't already know- I love rain. Not just any kind of rain though. A sprinkle is nice, but I don't like the muggy misty kind of rain that just feels like the air is damp. The kind of rain that I love is the kind that downpours. The sheets and sheets of nothing by huge droplets being scattered across your windshield, window pane at home, or your feet if you're the kind that likes to go out and experience the sheets first hand. That would be me, by the way. Unless I have freshly straightened hair (vain, I know) I like to go out in the rain!

I used to be a bit more of a fanatic of going out into the downpour. I remember several times in high school during lunch, it'd be heavy showers outside and I would leave the gym, go outside, take off my shoes (probably shoulda rolled up my pants too, go out into the parking lot, and become a little girl. It was ridiculous and part of it was probably (most definitely) to get attention (look at her! She's crazy! And so carefree! blah blah haha), but mostly I really did love being out there and feeling out of the normal bubble humans live in (we all must stay dry!) and jump around and splash in the puddles being created by the tons and tons of rain falling down onto the parking lot. Every once in a while, one of my good buds would run out there with me and be carefree right alongside their strange slightly attention-seeking friend.

One specific time, however, my friend Megan did the unthinkable with me (she actually barely has a memory of this happening, but it was most definitely her that was with me, I remember it so clearly). We not only walked out of the gym, removed our shoes, and went out into the parking lot... we continued with the adventure. We left the parking lot, walked down the street and kept walking. All the while becoming absolutely drenched from head to toe in the rain. No joke, we looked like we had run and jumped into a pool by the time we were finished. And then, we went to class like that. Can you believe that? I remember loving it and loving that my friend came with me to venture down Little Elm in the storm and then go to class to freeze our butts off and have teachers shaking their heads at the immature high school girls who decided to take a dip in the streets in the middle of a school day. I didn't feelimmature though. I felt carefree.

Another specific rain memory I have was one time when I was at worship band practice for the Church of the Hills youth group, and it was just the band in the sanctuary and we were about to go into the song "Intimacy" and all of the sudden we heard pellets upon pellets of rain hitting the roof, and we could tell it was some intense rain going on outside, so we all went to look out the doors. Sure enough, it was the kind I love. Couldn't even tell the parking lot was black because everything was a solid color of silver and gray from all the rain. So, I did what I always did- I ran out there. My friend Lauren was with me, and she came out there as well. We ran around for a bit, and then came back in and instantly started singing "Intimacy" with the band because they'd already started playing the song. I remember it was such a powerful time of worship, and it was just practice! I remember having my eyes closed and when I opened them, I looked around at the few people involved with tech and lights and everyone else on stage and we all had our arms raised and we were just singing so loud. I don't know how the rain made it more intense and intimate for me, but it did. I had just been outside frolicking around in creation and ran back in, soaked, and dove right into worship. I miss those times on stage.

I just love rain. There's just something about it.

A bunch of random stuff that was interesting to the eyes of Christi.

2008-08-19T21:01:00.001-07:00

And maybe to yours as well.

Handy.

This is actually an arial view of a rehabilitation center.

A Lexus that could maybe... cut you??

I itch for change

2008-08-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

I'm bored with working full time at a place I've worked at the majority of my life since 2005. I am either at work... or at home, or with friends. Thats it. I itch for something else! I'm bored! I wanna GO somewhere or DO something I don't do on a regular basis. I'm thinking about going back to school part time next semester. It's too late this semester. I also find myself getting so bored in the monotony of life right now, that I even start thinking maybe I could get a second job somewhere easy and fun. This always happens once I've gone back to Rudy's and have worked there for several months. There's no way I'll quit, because I know I'd just get another office job that will burn me out and make me fatter from sitting at a stinking desk all day and I'll just want to come back to Rudy's. So, I'm sticking to Rudy's. It's busy and exciting enough to make me want to stay. But, it definitely is a part of the monotony problem.

I know I shouldn't get a second job to pile onto my full time job at Rudy's because everytime i've had two jobs, I am never ever home and never ever have time for a social life and always end up regretting it. So, I am trying very hard to listen to my past experiences but it is so difficult when I am so BORED. I'm not down or unhappy with any of the relationships in my life-- and I love, love the time I get with those people and wouldn't change any of that for anything. I just want something different. The idea of going back to school makes the mouth of my mind water. Haha. Does that make sense? Well, it just makes me very excited. I walk through the grocery store and I see notebooks and binders and I'm like ohhh oh oh I wanna buy those. Or I watch Craig sign up for his classes online and I literally feel jealous! Or I hear Becky talking about the classes she's going to be taking this semester and how she's about to head back to school and I just wish I could do that too!

Hmph. I'm praying, praying, praying on why there is this itch in my mind and my restless being to DO something. Anything.
Okay, that is all:)
Christi

Funny/Interesting atricle

2008-08-11T11:37:00.001-07:00

Italian nuns set up inflatable church to save the souls of beach bums.

Thoughts on this, please!

I want this tic tac toe game.

2008-08-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Clever, clever, clever! I would play all day! I love simple games like tic tac toe and this version adds spiffy fun to look at and be fascinated.

Gold that goes vroom

2008-08-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

Check this out.

A Porsche plated in gold.

Very, very cool.

2008-07-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

Go do this.

Winter is magical.

2008-07-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

And I am ready for it.

I think it is good that i live here in Texas, USA because I either am in the mood for summer or winter, and thats pretty much all we get. No in between. Seriously, one day it's stifling hot, and then the next-- before you know it, everyones jittering in their socks because we're just all so dang cold.

Hmm... maybe... Texans are just used to it being incredibly hot and humid, so any kind of gust of a cold front, and we think we're freezing.

So let me rephrase everything I said above.

I'm ready for the TEXAS version of winter. Cute sweaters from Gap, scarves of all colors being scattered amongst all retail has to offer, that crisp, dry, brisk feeling you get when you walk outside, frozen dew on my windshield, always hoping for the slightest flutter of snow, Christmas colors flitting across every catalogue you pick up, not to mention the dreamy lights and greenery hung from the ceilings of every mall... THAT is the winter I'm ready for. The one I've grown up with from the day I was born all the way up until today, July 29th 2008. I want my Texan "winter."

Not quite the Texas winter, but its the feeling I want:-)

Whoa.

2008-07-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Incredible Building In Paris ! - Click here for more amazing videos

A building in paris, France.

Don't worry, it's not dead. It's just funny.

2008-07-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Un gato cansado

I am called

2008-07-23T15:28:00.001-07:00

I have found myself saying the phrase "I'm just sick of it" quite often as of late. Talking about a myriad of things, all of which I really, truly am sick of. I'm not down on myself or feeling sad, I really am just tired of so much... stuff! It becomes so clear to me that my soul was not made to be a part of this world, or to blend in whatsoever. Every day I walk through all the muck around me and feel like I am water trying to make nice with oil. It just won't work. I am a puzzle piece not made for this puzzle. I'm glad I don't fit in. I'm glad something in me twinges when I see, hear or am around sin. I'm glad it feels foreign-- because it is.

I am a follower of Christ. Being active in the body of Christ is so necessary. No division, no walls, no tearing down. What would we be without our fellow believers in the body all walking the same way as us, arms linked, pursuing the same goal? We would be a single person walking against the entirety of humanity- one person pushing against crowds of millions.

I think we need to guard our words and our hearts against the poisen Satan offers us. Its so easy to let it slither into conversation.

Egg, anyone?

2008-07-21T13:58:00.001-07:00

Egg art is pretty much insaaane. So go see.

Incredible/strange art

2008-07-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

Artists using intriguing techniques.

Thought that was quite interesting.

2008-07-18T13:09:00.001-07:00

People praying, and sending it to this website. Hmm. Let me know what you think about "Dear God."

-------

Ever wonder how to make those sweet oragami creations?
Go Learn.

I think this blog is officially just becoming an "interesting things on the internet" site.

2008-07-16T21:26:00.001-07:00

I love this picture.

2008-07-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

I'm sure its been doctored, but I don't care. I love it. It says Psalm 23 to me.

Yes, Karen. I do want to do this! :-)

2008-07-14T18:42:00.000-07:00

EW's New Classics: 100 Movies
Bolded: Seen it
Underlined: Love it.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)
3. Titanic (1997)
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995)
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9. Die Hard (1988)
10. Moulin Rouge (2001)
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999)
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006)
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler's List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001)
24. A Room With a View (1986)
25. Shrek (2001)
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986)
28. Wings of Desire (1988)
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
30. When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999)
33. The Breakfast Club (1985)
34. Fargo (1996)
35. The Incredibles (2004)
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
37. Pretty Woman (1990)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
39. The Sixth Sense (1999)
40. Speed (1994)
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000)
44. The Player (1992)
45. Rain Man (1988)
46. Children of Men (2006)
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983)
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007)
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998)
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006)
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988)
64. No Country For Old Men (2007)
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992)
72. Thelma & Louise (1991)
73. Office Space (1999)
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006)
77. Sid and Nancy (1986)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007)
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003)
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004)
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985)
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994)
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)

Somewhere...

2008-07-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

Way up high.

I like.

2008-07-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

Did some surfing last night, stumbled upon a world of art called Fashion Illustration. I love how it is very delicate and feminine, yet edgy and funky at the same time. I also like how very not American it looks.

Here is some work by an artist called "Coco."

See her site and the rest of her work here.

I wish I could pop lock.

2008-07-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's true. I wish I could pop lock. I wish I could be one of those people that could blow your mind with my sweet, jerky moves to the beat of the coolest tune you've ever heard!

But, alas, I remain just a wisher- busting the moves only in my mind, to keep from frightening the very souls of people who might be onlookers to my scary rendition of the art of pop locking.

Kind of interesting. Knowing that there is something that I will never.... I repeat, NEVER... be able to do. Haha.

Self focussed prayer

2008-06-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

I have come to realize that... I don't know how to pray for myself. I almost never pray for myself. Does anyone else have this problem? I mean, I say the whole "Give me strength" etc, but I don't really, really pray for myself. I feel selfish when I do it. I know thats silly. All my life I've heard different pastors from the church's I have gone to tell us all that it isn't wrong to pray for yourself, and that you should by all means pray for yourself! I just find myself completely changing the subject mid-prayer when I am trying to pray about something to do with me.

Haven't done one of these in a while...

2008-06-24T16:53:00.001-07:00

BLUE

You give your love and friendship unconditionally. You enjoy long, thoughtful conversations rich in philosophy and spirituality. You are very loyal and intuitive.

Find out your color at QuizMeme.com!

I would like to...

2008-06-23T19:43:00.001-07:00

go there.
Greece has been calling my name.

So very cool

2008-06-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Just go here - http://www.vimeo.com/1211060

Joy

2008-06-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Is it wrong to sit outside of Roasters at 12:50 at night and steal internet?
Eh. Oh well.

I've been reading the Bible a lot lately. I recently purchased a new one with the help of my three buddies, Courtney, Karen and Janean (who actually works at Family Christian-- how convenient!). So, I'm really enjoying having my own Bible again after having to use Brittany's for probably about a year now.

Anyways, I'm reading Isaiah and Philippians. Isaiah is the book that I'm reading with Craig (he picked it, its my turn next), and Philippians is the book I'm reading because I just love it. A lot. Paul is amazing... I cannot imagine being him or living like that. He was in jail... in chains... writing to churches telling them how joyful he was to be in chains because of Christ. Going on and on about how it's all so worth it because everyone in the prison new he was there because of Christ, even the guards. Can you imagine? What a man. What a story. So anyways, I'm being fed a lot by the Word lately, and it's definitely changing how I act day to day. I'm just... happier. More than happy-- I am joyful. I have joy through Christ despite what my circumstances might try to dictate.

I cannot wait until Sunday. Tomorrow better speed by. Sunday we leave for Arizona for 7 whole days. I absolutely cannot wait. It's such a retreat. I seem to really have some very awesome quiet times while I am there. My parents house and where they live is just so... quiet. Just really, really quiet. I don't know ANYONE except for them in the whole city of Phoenix, and I like it that way. I just get to stay at home, be with family, see mountians, pet Precious (our dog), read my bible, swim a little, and be quiet. I need to quiet down inside. Such a perfect time for a getaway.

Alright, it's getting ridiculously late to be sitting in a parking lot using internet I am not paying for. In my defense, though, they do get A LOT of my money.
One Milky Way Granita, please:)
Christi

I just...

2008-06-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

DON'T KNOW.

Lord, please help me to think clearly.

Adrenaline

2008-06-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

You know what kinda stinks? When I work at closing shift at Rudys, that means I get off at 10:30 at night or possibly later than that, up to midnight sometimes. Well, closing is a lot of physical activity, cleaning, straightening, closing things up, lifting, sweating, etc. It gets me going. It gets your blood pumping, kinda like a work out. Anyways, so then I get off work... and the world is asleep and Christi is anything but. Like tonight for instance, I closed in the Country Store, left work... and had nothing to do. Becky is still super jet lagged and is rightfully wanting to sleep away. So, she's already in bed. I text message Karen, get no response. So she's either asleep or doing something fabulous with her husband. I wanna do something fabulous.

If life was perfect...
Kristina would live in Austin.
My parents would move back to Texas.
Craig would hurry up and come home from Hawaii.

THEN, maybe, I'd have something to do right now besides sit outside of a closed Roasters Coffee Shop and look like a creeper sitting out in my car stealing internet. Because, well, that's what I am.

So all night at work tonight I felt excited. Or nervous... or anxious. I dunno! Something. It was like a constant state of adrenaline in my chest! I wanted to run around or work super efficiently. I wanted to have huge conversations with everyone, talk about everything with the girl I was working with, make jokes with all the customers. It was like Christi times ten. Christi on crack. I dunno what thats like because I've never done "crack" (I'm... not quite sure what it is, actually).

Wikipedia says this about adrenaline, "When secreted into the bloodstream, it rapidly prepares the body for action in emergency situations." Um, there was no emergency situation. I dunno what was wrong with me. But I was ready to go go go. I still am right this minute! Dunno what it is.

You know what I love?
I'm talking to three people I graduated with right now
:-)
Over and out. (but not out and about. ergh)
Christi

I am back.

2008-06-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the recent pause in my blogging life. The few of you that actually read this have made several comments about my lack of blogginess. I'm sorry! I've been busy! And lazy when I have the chance to blog.

I want to see The Happening. I don't care that 95% of the people I know that have seen it have said that it was awful. I still want to see it. I like end of humanity movies. I know this isn't exactly what it's about... I could be far off... but it's one of those mass-amounts-of-humans-dying movies haha and I like that stuff. I do not know what. Day After Tomorrow rocked my world.

I dunno, just looks interesting to me. I might be the only person in the world that likes it. I just like M. Night Shalamalanalan.

Right now I am sitting where I really love to be sitting. In Roasters, with friends. Tonight the pick of friends are Courtney and Karen- who have seemed to be the regulars that come with me here:-) I love it. Just love it.

You know what else I love? My sister. I get to see her tomorrow after not seeing her for 17 days. Oh em gee. Becky!!!

Okay this is short but better than nothin'.

Peace in (instead of out. get it?).
Christi

Mmm, coffee.

2008-05-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Actually, I'm not drinking coffee. But I am in a coffee shop. I'm actually drinking holiday flavored tea! It's very strange... because, when I take a sip- I really do think of Christmas. What is this magic they're feeding me?

Lately, my life has been filled with panties. Panties and barbeque. Isn't that an odd combination? I fold, I fold, I fold... yet, little highschool giggle boxes and their too-young boyfriends still manage to come mess up, mess up, mess up. So, I fold again. It's okay though. I get into a trance when I'm doing it and I really don't mind. I totally zone out and I think about anything and everything besides folding underwear. Everyone I've talked to that either currently works at Victoria's Secret, or has in the past, always complains about the same thing- folding underwear. I'll do it! Maybe it's because I'm used to actually having to work hard at Rudy's and then I get to Victoria's Secret and I'm thinking... um... what? Y'all are complaining about this?

That picture was taken after I'd spent about twenty minutes on it.

I'm excited about my evening. I'm going with Karen and the hubby to see Sex in the City at midnight. Woo hoo! I know, I know. Whatever. I wanna see it. So I'm going. I even have to work ten hours tomorrow and will probably be majorly tired all day, but I don't care. I want to fill my eyes with pink cosmos and ridiculous talk of... well... sex in the city. But, really, that's not all that it's about! Ok yes it is.

Guilty pleasures. We all have them.

Christi

Erm. Blog.

2008-05-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

I feel weird. I don't know why. But, I definitely feel... different. I think it is normal to feel and become more independent as you get older, so I guess that is whats happening to me right now. Or I could just be incredibly overworked and emotional and still slightly sick and so it's all piling up and resulting in this anti-social behavior. That's exactly how I feel though: anti-social. It'll probably blow over. I just have a couple people in my life that I want there all the time no matter what, and that's basically all I need. It's all I WANT, really. I've never understood why people say things about how they don't need any more friends because they have plenty, or that they have a few best friends and feel no need to add more. I always thought it was strange to not want to meet new people, add to your list of friends, etc. But that's kindahow I feel right now. I have a couple peeps, and have no time, energy or desire to keep up with anyone else! How cold I must sound. I just have a lot going on right now, so I think that's the main problem. I dunno. I'll keep ya posted on this haha. I really hope it doesn't make me sound unfriendly. There is no one in my life I dislike at all right now! I'm just... busy. And time with my best friends is all I have time for outside of work and sleep.

Okay, onto way lighter things.
Does this absolutely wig anybody else out?

I've put it to the test, and pasted it into paint to make sure the two excerpted boxes they have on there REALLY are the same as the ones on the checkered board. They are the same color. OUR BRAINS ARE WEIRD. I mean seriously. Whooooaaa.

Okay, time to go home and go to bed. It's 6:15 at night. I'm tired.
Christi

Probably a boring blog for you.

2008-05-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

Whew. Here I sit, just a few feet from my sister (*smile*), I have no make up on, and I purposly put on my most comfy, grungy clothes. I'm not at work, and that makes me infallibly happy. I don't even know if I spelled that word right, or if it is a word but I don't care because I'm just... HAPPY! In the past two days (literally 48 hours) I have been at work for 26 of them. Is that legal? Yes, it is and I did it. I literally woke up, got to Rudy's at 10, left at three, got to Victoria's Secret by 3:20, and left there at 11. And, I did that twice in a row. I truly hope that never happens again.

BUT, the good news is... I love Victoria's Secret! I sure do wish I got paid more, though. But, oh well. It's extra money added on top of my full time Rudy's career, so it's all good. I love Pink, I love the people I work with, I love folding panties (not really, but it's ten times easier than anything I do at Rudy's), I love knowing stuff about Victoria's Secret, I love getting free bras, I love working in the mall, I love NOT smelling like smoked meat when I leave, and I love wearing cute outfits! I do still love Rudy's, of course, but VS is just so much more ME. Rudy's has become a part of me. VS is just automatically "Christi"ish.

Anyways, so yes, life is insanely busy but I'm very happy through it. Now, if only this cold and cough would go away.

I'm happy because...
+My sister is here.
+My boyfriend is here. (even though he's about to leave)
+I see Karen A LOT.
+I like the two jobs I'm at all the time.
+I'm going to Phoenix for a full WEEK very soon!
+There are three kitties in my house. Well, cats. And sometimes I'm not happy about that. But, anyways.
+We're getting internet soon.
+I see the lake in my future.
+My fishie is still alive.
+I have a Dooney and Bourke purse.

There's lots more, I'm sure, but that'd be boring to keep droning on and on.

I miss Jon a lot. Like... a lot. It's a weird kind of miss. I know he's gone, and I won't ever see him again during my time on this end of eternity. But, I miss him because I think about him every day now since everything that happened, and am reminded of him constantly, which never happened before the accident. He was just one of the stinky ol guys that I graduated with in my teensy class of 23. I thought about them off and on, but not on a daily basis. And now... there's one of them I think about all the time, day in and day out, reminded of everything that used to be so wonderful in highschool with him- but, unlike the other 16 guys I graduated with, I can't ever fulfill that missing him feeling and hang out with him. I literally MISS him because I haven't hung out with him in FOREVER. Now, forever has taken on a totally different meaning. I miss him badly. I can't wait to see him again.

On a lighter note- I am excited about my evening. I'm going with Karen and crew (full of people I don't know besides her hubby) to see Indiana Jones. Yay! Shia is strangely hot to me. I just found out he's 21. What?! Didn't know that. I always thought the little dopey kid on Even Stevens was way younger than me. Nope. Well, he IS younger. It's strange to me that I'm turning 23 this year, so that makes three ages of people in their twenties younger than me. The people that are 20, 21 and 22. Younger than me. I'm getting OLD and fast.

Alright, that's all. Time for my random picture. And this one, my friends... deserves a big ......

double-u tee eff.

Excuse the language. Well, the abbreviated language.
Christi

Um. One more thing.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS MOVIE TO COME OUT. YOU MUST BUY THE BOOKS, AND YOU MUST SEE THE MOVIE. I cannot STRESS how much this is my favorite story of all time, and how it BETTER be a good portrayal of it in the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christi is lazy. Muh bad.

2008-05-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling very domestic lately. Well, I say lately, but really it's only been a few days. On my days off, I enjoy sleeping in now that I have retaught my body how to do so after 9 months of getting to work at 7 in the morning 5 days a week. I have a routine now on the days I either have completely off of work, or don't have to be in til 3, 4 or 5 in the afternoon. I wake up, I respond to my good morning message I get from Craig every single morning, I lay there and let consciousness sink in, I tune into the moewing outside my door, get up, let her in, get back in bed. Then, this happens--

That's Syd asleep against my leg under the covers. I let her bask in laziness for a few minutes while I read some in my book, and then I finally get out of bed! I go get food from my fridge (yes, I actually HAVE some right now!) I make it, and feel proud I haven't gone out and eaten what would probably have been an expensive Chipotle burrito bol. While my quick food is either in the oven or in the microwave, I go do some laundry. I have lots of it. Even though my loving mother did loads and loads of it during her short weekend here this past weekend, there is still definitely more to be done. Then, while I have the loads in their respective places either washing or drying, I go eat my food and watch some dumb show on tv (usually a judge show or mind numbing soap opera). Then, I get ready and begin my ventures outside of my house.

Today, one of those ventures was getting my oil changed. Why do I hate doing this so much? It's not that expensive, I don't have to do anything, and it's done relatively quick. But for some reason I continue to despise doing it. I was 2,000 miles past due. Can you believe that? Two thousand miles. In case you're like me and let it get THIS out of hand, I will share with you what Craig shared with me last night (which scared me into finally getting off my butt and getting it done asap today). I had kept telling him for weeks on end, "I'll get it done today." "Okay, I'll do it tomorrow." "On my next day off." Well, he showed me this article and well... the ending words being "catastrophic failure" kind of made it sound a little more vital than I'd wanted to think it was. So, I went and got it done. It was a perfectly pleasant experience. I have gone to the same place ever since I was in highschool. The Goodyear place on the corner of Anderson Mill and 183. The same dud works there that's always worked there since I was in highschool. He's super nice. It was 29 bucks, an hour and a half of sitting in the nearby Starbucks, sipping on an iced latte, reading my book, and ta da! All done. I dunno what my problem was.

I was leaving there and planning on making a grocery store my next visit, but I was just itching to blog. So, I came here instead. Nerd. I do need to go to the grocery store though. I need make up wipes, toothpaste, body wash, q-tips and tweezers. All pretty necessary things. That's another thing I'm strangely lazy about... going to the grocery store.

I'm going to train myself to become unlazy! I'll keep you updated on how that goes.
:)
Over and out.
Out and about.
Don't slouch.
Christi

Random thought... but please tell me I am not the only person horrified by this woman.

What in the world?

2008-05-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

I think about blogging all day. I think of different things I want to talk about. But... I do not have the internet in my house. I forget the things I want to talk about. I never get to come out here and get online anymore, it seems. And! I'm staring my second job today which means even less time to come out here to internetland. Oh, and my lease at this apartment complex is over at the end of the month.

I need to get the internet.

You know what I think is kind of funny? Britney Spears. I don't think it's funny if she truly is going through all this mental stuff right now... that's not the part I find funny, because I know it's very, very serious stuff. But what I do find funny is this:

I'm sorry, but... how did this happen? Why is Britney bald? Why is Britney swinging an umbrella at a car? How did she go from little innocent, tilted head, smiling, sittin on a pink floor Britney... to... that. Kind of interesting to think of what happened to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, and what has happened to Britney Spears, the queen of Pop. Please, keep me out of that circle of royalty. I like my hair and my nose not to fall off.

Htizzle.

2008-05-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

I am currently sitting on a couch in Houston. Maybe I should be more specific. I'm sitting in Kristina's new house on her new couch! Yep, I'm in Houston for the weekend. I'm already enjoying myself fabulously:) We haven't done much so far, but that's exactly what I needed- a weekend of just chilling.

Right now, we're watching Clueless. Our all time favorite, traditional Kristina and Christi movie. I wonder how many times we've seen it. So many times. It's very, very weird that it was made 13 years ago. WHAT!?

Anyways, this blog is pointless. I just wanted to blog from Houston:) Maybe I'll post a little more later.

Back to Clueless!
Christi

This might be another short post...

2008-04-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

Okay seriously...

I tell you no joke...

Every single person that shares this computer with me never, ever speaks english.

Ever.

And I always find this out because said person always recieves a phone call and they answer with a noise that must mean "hello?" in their language. And then proceed to have a loud, foreign conversation.

Everytime.

I came in here tonight and no one was here. About 20 minutes later, a guy walked in, sat down at the other computer, turned on some interesting sounding celtic music. About 10 minutes after that, his phone rang...

"kjdfghj?"

Right now, in life...

2008-04-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am bored.

Which is probably a very dangerous thing to say. I don't necessarily want things to be stirred up and become hectic.

But, oh man, I am bored.

Randomness

2008-04-26T15:16:00.000-07:00

I love Rudy's. Which is good. I am there all the time. But, really, I love it. I've come and go- tried other jobs, but nothing compares to the fast paced, friend-filled, BBQ atmosphere of Rudy's. Maybe I'm just a nerd... but, seriously, I have worked other places and there is no place like Rudy's. Okay I'm really starting to feel like a loser going on like this. They really do work us hard though. Closing is so tough! One of the things we do is we have to put every single chair up on the tables, sweep, scrub, squeegy, mop, and then put every chair back down. Talk about a work out for the no-upper-body-strength girl.

That's a lot of chairs! Okay, it doesn't look like that many there, so just take my word for it. We also have to do things liek restock the trough of soda. Here's a picture of the beer trough. I dunno why I'm showing y'all these things. Oh well.

Lots of bottles. Lots of ripping plastic open and breaking down cardboard boxes and filling it with ice. Maybe I'm just a wimp.

Also, when we do have down time, we get bored and we chop our hands off.

Just kidding. But I do fall victim to the bored boy during down town and end up with my hand wrapped up in plastic wrap becuase it looks funny to the other bored boys. Haha. It really does look like I have a nub, though. My weird, flexible hands.

Okay, onto the next random subject. Even though I might rant every once in a while about how my cat, Sydney, is psycho (she is), she does have her cute, cuddly moments. They usually happen because she's meowing outside my door at 7 in the morning wanting to come in and I finally let her and this happens:

Aww. Kitty. :)

On a little more serious note, a lot of my time lately has been filled with me thinkign about my old friend, Jon Chatham. I was looking through my junior year yearbook and stumbled across his entry that he wrote. It ended with this, and I will hold onto it forever. Make sme so happy:

"I love you forever, -Jon-" was how he ended what he wrote. He probably wrote that in everyones, but still touches my heart:) I miss him. I miss the simple days.

Okay, well it is time for me to depart. I must tend to my bladder before it explodes, and tend to the little person named Brittany before she explodes because I've been on the computer for so long:)

I leave you with a kiss. Pretty intense one, if I do say so myself. I shared it with Craig via text message last night, and now I share it with you haha.

I really hope no one actually kisses like this.
Christi

Oh, snap

2008-04-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

I took a small sabatical from blogging due to recent events which have kept me extremely occupied and busy. But, alas, I return.

Despite everything that has been going on, I've still managed to have some very good times with old friends. I wish we hadn't been reunited under the circumstances that were... but, nevertheless, I found so much comfort in seeing a bunch of guys from my highschool days. I can honestly say I love them! There is just something about sitting around out on the concrete laughing with those people that makes everything feel right. We miss Jon... we miss him with our whole selves... but we know he'd be ecstatic to look down and see us laughing and gathered together and to know that it was in his honor. I plan on making those guys a part of my life in the PRESENT and not just in the past.

I was recently in Houston at one of my favorite stores Urban Outfitters and I purchased a camera called a Lomography Fisheye and I am so excited to use it. It's film, not digital- so it will be a little more challenging, but I am about to take it downtown with me and snap a bunch of pictures and get them developed. I was tired of taking normal pictures so I thought it would be a cool adventure to try something new. Hopefully I'll get the pictures on a cd as well and I can share them with the internet world.

Alright, this was short, but I must depart. I will be back soon, maybe with some sweet fish eye pictures!
Christi

2008-04-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

5 months and counting...

2008-04-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

The guy I'm sharing this computer room with is doing all of the following:
Sneezing.
Coughing.
Tapping his foot to some unheard beat.
Biting his fingernails so loudly I can HEAR it.
Eating an ice cream cone smack by smack.
Watching a japanese movie.
Saying, what I'm assuming is "hello?" in japanese over and over and over on his phone to someone who is obviously just not on the line.

I, Christi Rabb, desperately need my own internet connection in my own house for my own computer.

Anywho.

Today's been a good day. I slept in til ten, and was woken up by Sydney meowing outside my door. Oh well, I don't like sleeping in past ten anyways. Let me share with you a cute picture I took of Syd as she made herself at home on my knee the other day. (SWEET. Frustrating noise maker computer room roomie just left. Insert sigh of serenity here.)

Yep, that's her, in all her glory. Don't let the cute face fool you, if she ever looks at you like that, she's probably thinking about how scrumptious your wrist looks.

So, guess what? The 2008 ACL lineup is here. Oh yes. Let me tell you a little about my ACL insane blessings this year. I have attended the Austin City Limits festival for what will be my third year in a row. My first year, I worked at one of the bars and got paid 20 bucks an hour to handle all the cash and listen to the music at the stages that were near my bar. I fell in love with all things ACL and set out to buy my own ticket the following year (last year) so I could be free of having a job to do, and just soak up all the ACLness. After recovering from the smoltering sun, sweat and singers and swearing I'd never go back again... I definitely plan on going again this year. Yes, it will be mind blowingly hot again- but I do not care! I might actually have the chance to obtain a VIP pass this year (working at Rudys over the past three years has definitely added some perks) which means free everything. Yes please!

So, back to the line up. I'm searching through it (it was just added today, I believe) and here are a few that I'm super stoked to be able to see this year:
Alison Krauss
Beck
The Swell Season (<---the singers from "Once"!!!!)
Gnarles Barkley
Iron and Wine
Patty Griffin
Flyleaf
Those are just a few from the huge lineup that has been emailed to me. If you are interested go to the ACL Websiteand check out all the bands yourself. I'm pumped. I even love listening to the bands I've never heard of.

If you have never been and don't really know what ACL looks like, let me just give you this little shot to give you an idea how many people are there...

Whew.

My favorite moment of ACL last year was definitely when the band Ghostland Observatory took the stage. I had first heard them the year I was working at the bar, and they happened to be on the stage right next to me. I hadn't really discovered electronica type music yet, but I definitely fell IN LOVE with them. Everyone working at the bar I was at was like "who is that?? what are they playing?? that's freakin awesome!" to say the least. I later discovered it was Ghostland, and they definitely took the entire festival by storm. The next year (last year) they were on one of the smaller stages (really, what were the organizers thinking??) and I got there kind of early because I was so excited to see them, but I turned around after about 20 minutes of sitting in the grass waiting for them to start, and I literally could not see the end of the masses of people. I doubt anyone else was at any other stage. It was the hugest crowd I'd ever seen. I THINK the picture I have up there is from the beginning of the masses coming to see them perform, but I'm not sure. It doesn't look like enough people to me. But wow, it was an amazing show. It's definitely insanely unique music topped off with even more insane dance moves. The band is composed of two guys. Yep, just two guys. And they're awesome.

I'm also extremely excited about The Swell Season which is definitely on the other end of the spectrum of music from Ghostland. These are the singers from one of my favorite movies I've ever seen called Once. He (GLEN HANSARD)captivated me with his raw, acoustic feel from the very first scene of the movie. I got to see him at Stubbs this past year and loved him and his costar (MARKETA IRGLOVA) even more than I had before. He is from Ireland and I believe she is from Poland or something like that, I can't remember. His music is very indie sounding and that fits itself easily into the heart of the music I love.

5 months til it all happens:)

Alright, well I hope that appealed to your musical side a little but. I must be off now-- work in an hour and a half. Come visit me if you are near Rudy's on 620 sometime this evening! I will be working in the Country Store so it's much easier to say hello and chat a little versus when I'm over working BBQ.

Ta ta
Christi

20 minutes.

2008-04-14T19:39:00.000-07:00

That is how long I have until this computer shuts down without my consent because stinky internet land has a time limit. Oh well.

Today was a good day. I feel like the crazy busy life I have been leading (which has not reflected well on my duty as a good employee) is finally settling down. So, I went to work today with the attitude of ***super employee!*** and tried my hardest to be very alert, on time and ready to work. I even picked up a shift tomorrow on my day off to work in the Country Store from 3 to close. How superemployeeish of me. I really do love my job and everyone there, and I feel bad because I'd been slacking in the form of requesting days off a few weeks in a row, or being the one to volunteer to go home early if they need to cut someone. I do not like feeling lazy or slackerish and so it's time to whip my rep back into shape- starting this week. By the way, if you are looking for a good paying job that is fun, you should definitely consider Rudy's. The four in Austin are all owned by the same two guys, and they treat their employees amazingly. It really turns you into a superb employee for jobs to come, and raises your standards on the kind of job you think you deserve. Really, it is an amazing job.

I had dinner tonight with the lovely Karen and it was fabulous, as usual. I do quite enjoy our outings. It always starts out as a dinner and then continues on into the evening with errands which might be a quick Target run, or something less necessary like a dash to the tanning booth we both tan at. Whatever it is, I always enjoy myself completely. I love my Karen.

This past weekend was a blast. It was the end of Brittany's birthday bash week and it was all topped off with two leisurely days off in a row, Saturday and Sunday, where we shopped and basically hung out and did whatever we went. On Sunday night we attending what I like to think of as my church home now- Austin Stone. I am simply blown away every single week at everything God is doing with that church. Words definitely will not do it justice, so maybe you should just come visit and be floored right along with me. I also made a new friend that I am just thrilled about-- her name is Amy! She is the fiance of a guy that I've known for a while (used to go to my old church with me) and it's just so nice to finally know someone in the church. I've been attending for about two years now, but have had trouble forcing myself to meet people, so she has definitely been an answer to prayer. Literally.

I need to recolor my hair. Bad.

I want to see the move Baby Mama but it doesn't come out for another 10 days.

I kinda want to go to any movie right now by myself for free courtesy of Zack who works at Gateway, but I can't think of anything out that is worth going to. Any suggestions?

I miss my sister. And Craig. Even though I just saw Craig this weekend and Becky the weekend before. They both live in different cities than me and that is just no bueno.

I almost killed my fish today. I'll find out if it survived the trauma when I get home and take a looksie into its container.

My cat Sydney is insane but I love her with all of me.

Okay, enough random comments. Sorry this blog wasn't so interesting- I promise I'll have goodies for y'all to look at next time I get to blog. Which could be tommorrow before work.

The computer is counting down the minutes I have left and I'm tired of closing the alerts that pop up every minute, so time to peace this place.

PEACE.
Christi

Quickie.

2008-04-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I have not been able to blog! I have been incredibly busy and have not once traveled to internet land. Brittany turned 18 this week and it's pretty much taken over my life for the entirety of the week every moment I'm not at work.

I promise I'll be back soon to update, maybe even with some pictures.

Until then, check out the cool fashion, art and music of Metropark. I bought a necklace and a top there today and I'm pretty ballin because of it. They're having a fashion show/party this next Saturday I plan on attending. Click to visit.

Until later!
Christi

this n that

2008-04-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the encouraging responses to my post from last night.

It is absolutely amazing... mind blowing, in fact... what God will tell you if you are truly just listening. Words, visions, feelings have been overflowing my mind and my spirit for the past twenty four hours thatI never would have hard if that bone didn't have to rebreak yesterday. I'm still aching, and every once in a while a wave of frantic feelings comes over me, but I have to push through it and soak up the fire that is burning my being as I am starting to become the woman He's designed me for. "Unto You be all the glory."

It's so true what the pastor at Austin Stone said one sunday- that the most miserable people on the face of the planet are the christians who are saved, who have God in them and working in them, but try to keep one foot in the world. It's almost like when God said He spits the lukewarm believers out of His mouth, He was doing it for our own good. It is physically impossible to be a follower of Christ while still letting your flesh guide your steps. Impossible.

Alright, those are my thoughts on that for the day.

My night last night was good. I got to spend time with Brittany, fill her in on a few of the goings-on with Christi Rabb, and draw a little. I don't know why, but for some reason, the urge to draw has been taking me over lately! So, I went and bought a little cute tin container of colored pencils, and sat down and drew as I spilled my freaking soul to Brittany. Haha. The outcome wasn't THAT impressive, but I'll share it with you anyway.

Eh, whatever. It was fun. I started something else a little past midnight last night, but I don't know what else I can do with it. I'm having a creative block in my mind, I guess.

Well, I've been sitting here in this room for a while and I think it's time for me and my juicy fruit chewin self to go home.
Christi

i'm listening.

2008-04-02T19:25:00.001-07:00

(Note: This is not a lighthearted post. This shows the vulnerability of myself at the moment, and the intensity of what is being revealed to me.)

All day I've been thinking about what I'd be blogging about. That kind of makes me a loser, but oh well- I accept that. Anyways, I had even taken a picture of a cool book I'd read yesterday while at Border's with Zack, and jotted down a few notes of interesting fashion I might share with y'all, and even texted myself with a clever quote that applies to me so that I could save it and post it on my next blog. But, I am a vessel. My God is not just whispering in my ear anymore. I could no longer plug my fingers into my ears and scream "la la la!" It is hard to ignore the word of the Lord when He switches from whispering into your ear, and instead- stands in front of your face and opens His mouth, pouring out lightening and thunder.

Sometimes, when a bone is broken in the human body, it starts to grow back before surgery can be performed, or a cast can be set. Sometimes people don't even realize that they do have a broken bone, and it aches for a little while, but then it grows back together (however, flawed) and they use it perfectly fine, so they think. Then a problem with that part of the body comes up down the road, and the bone has to be re-broken since it was neglected and not fixed. The doctor has to actualy go back to the site of the break, and break it all over again. It's painful, it's agonizing, it's not fun whatsoever- but it's the RIGHT thing to do. It takes pain and being broken so that the bone can grow back to how it should have been growing all along.

You probably know where I'm taking this.

I am the warped bone. I am the arm that is still functioning and able to go day to day just fine, but underneathe the skin- I am angled and fractured and growing back the way I shouldn't. I cannot fix myself, just like the bone can't. I've let it go on so long, that today I had to be rebroken. My heart broke along with everything else. Some of you might be kind of confused because you had no idea anything was going on. I might have even chatted with a few of you via phone or via text, and I mentioned nothing. I basically don't know what to say. I got in bed about thirty minutes ago, and started crying in my brokenness, and instantly bolted out of bed so that I could get to the internet before they shut these computers down at 10:00. I feel so strongly that people (girls, specifically) go through exactly what I am going through right this very moment. I know that it is so encouraging and comforting to read about someone crawling through the depths of desperation but STILL clinging on to the only Thing worth clinging onto: my Savior.

Despite that I am broken, and my flesh hates it- there is a bigger part of me, my Spirit, that wants to be no where but absolutely desperate for Christ. Physically aching because a piece of me is missing, but rejoicing and passionately loving the pieces that are coming to fill in the void.

I am moving into a chapter of my life, or a season as some may call it, where I feel called to purity, patience and perseverance. As Elizabeth Elliot says, "Lord, I have said the eternal Yes. Let me never, having put my hand to the plough, look back. Make straight the way of the Cross before me. Give me love, that there may be no room for a wayward thought or step."

The eternal Yes. The eternal, never changing, never faltering, never doubting, YES. I say Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes a thousand times over. If what I have right now that I love so passionately is NOT for me yet, then YES Lord take it away. You give and take away, and I wait ernestly to see what You are doing next.

He has stripped me from parents living within 1,000 miles of me. He has stripped me from my dear sister who lives four hours away from me. I have no TV, I have no cable, I live by myself. He wants me alone. How amazing. He wants me all by myself, in every form of the word, desperate and crying outfor His powerful presence.

I am here Lord, with nothing in sight except for the Cross. I will not look side to side, I will not look behind, I will not try to peer around the Cross to see the future- I will look AT the Cross, NO where else. I am Yours. Break me, break me again, and break me again. I want to be on my face every night. You died for me. I want to die every single day to You. Every single moment.

the days go by and i just stay weird :)

2008-04-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Life is just so neat right now. Which proves to me that despite my human eyes seeing completely and utter chaos, my Creator's eyes see beauty in the making. How blessed I am to be taken through fire, which burns and hurts and takes great patience, only to come out the other side refined and pressed into a more flawless creation. Of course I am far from flawless (far, far, far)- but I think you understand what I mean. He so knows what He's doing.

So this week so far has been pretty splendid! On Sunday I was on my own all day, and I loved it. I drove around Austin with different destinations in mind, only to change my mind when I arrived to them. Then, I'd just pick up and drive somewhere else. I didn't mind at all. My gas bill will, I'm sure, but oh well. I never drive anywhere but to and from work, it seems. So, it was quite nice to get out and about in the city I love.

Yesterday, I didn't have to go into work until 4, so I got to have lunch with the lovely Ashleigh Montoya! Beautiful friends inspire such a beautiful happiness in me. After some scrumptious Chipotle burrito "bol", we headed over to DSW Shoe Warehouse to do a quick looksie before she had to go back to work. There were several cute shoes here and there, but then I stumbled upon possibly one of the most hideous pairs of shoes I've ever laid eyes on. Let me share them with you.

Yep, there they are. I mean... really? Why did this happen? Who created this? Heals are cute. Sneakers are cute. Shoe laces are cure. Shiney sneakers might be even cute. But all thrown together? Absolutely sick.

So, anyways, we had a chuckle about that, debated on the outcome of a price if it was 30% off and both ended up being wrong, and then parted ways. Work came at 4 and I went even though I very obviously have tonsilitis again. Yep, for the fourth time in approximately 5 months. I know, I know. Get your tonsils out, Christi, you crazy person who is afraid of surgery even though she witnessed her sister have brain surgery and survived- I KNOW. I don't wanna. I just don't wanna. Lemme lone.

After working several hours, I had my much desired 15 minute break where I ate this for dinner:

Yep. A nutter butter, and a Dr. Pepper. Sue me. I'm poor, okay? Very poor.

I also wanted to snap a shot of me in my sweet Rudy's hat, apron, and bright yellow shirt, but right as I was pushing the "capture" button on my phone, a family of 6 turned the corner and caught me. I didn't feel like being obvious and taking a picture of myself, so you are left with this, a picture of me turning my head and looking at the family happily walking to a table with their BBQ.

Haha. Oh well. You get the idea: basically I transform into a boy when I'm in my Rudy's gear. Blah.

Today is my day off. So nice. I feel like I've been working a lot lately. Picking up extra horus, staying late when they need me-- so my two days off a week are always so nice to have.

Dangit, I need to go to the post office.

Ok apparently I type out my mental interuptions.

ANYWAYS. I've had a good and easy day so far. Had some lunch while reading C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" and then bolted my comfy reading place when I spotted a potentially awkward conversation with a mom of a friend that I haven't seen in FOREVER (it might not be who some of you think it is). I always do that though. I'm completely and entirely anti awkward-conversations. Or anything that could come close to being an awkward conversation. I am a hermit. Oh well. Embrace me:) As long as you stay out of my personal space. I'm a big personal space person! (wow, talk about a rabbit trail) If I let you into my personal space... feel special. Very special. I have a BIG bubble around me that I think I like to be alone in.

So, I left and headed out to where I am now- internet land. AKA, my old apartment complex. (Here's something kinda funny- the exact same guy always ends up in here with me. There are two computers, and we always always ALWAYS run into each other here. We even say hi now and chat a bit while we're both doing our own computer stuff. Its funny. He just walked in.) And as I was on my way to internet land, I drove behind a truck that had something in the back of it that startled me- a little miniature horse.

Then I realized it was stuffed.

Alright, time to sign off of my bloggy. I'm about to leave to go meet up with Zack at Borders to have a latte from Seattle's Best, some chatting, and book gawking (I'm poor. Can't buy any). Then I will leave one Ritchie and go to the other, Brittany, where I will proceed to have a fabulous evening in the company of Brittany and parents in Lakeway, Texas. Mmm sounds marvelous.

Over and out.
Christi

for the love of life

2008-03-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

I was talking to a guy I work with yesterday while we were at work and we were talking about how we don't have THAT many friends, but the ones that we do have- we love so, so, so much and absolutely cannot live without.

Over the past few days, a lot has happened in my life. Yesterday it reached a climax and I wasn't sure how I could ever mentally cope with what seemed to be taking place. The people in our lvies really, truly are the most important aspects of life. Of course, in my case, it's right behind my faith. I love my Lord and I love the people he's put in my life. They are here, existing in my eyes and mind every day for a reason. God knew what He was doing when he made us and crossed our paths. I love Him for giving people people I love and need so passionately.

In the mood for some new music? Brittany went to go see A Fine Frenzy in concert last night (listen to them on their myspace they are one of my top favorite bands), and playing with them was a guy named Danny Malone. Brit suggested I go listen to his song playing on her profile, so I did and of course I loved it. So, if you're in the mood to hear something new (and you like mellow, indie sounding music) check out his myspace. Also, if you go to A Fine Frenzy's page, be sure you listen to the ORIGINAL "Almost Lover" before the remix. I like the original way better.

Alright, I only have 15 minutes left in this computer room til the computer shuts off, so I must go tend to other things I need to do online.
Be back tomorrow, I am sure.
Christi

and we're back

2008-03-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am again. Today is my day off and so internet is definitely a must. You see, I don't actually have the internet yet at my house, so anytime I want to get online I have to either mooch off someone, or come to my old apartment complex that I'm still paying rent at (LONG story) and get online here. So, here I am- happily sitting in the little room with two computers, and typing away at my newly founded blog.

I haven't forgotten that I had said I would further introduce the other "characters" in my life. I think I might do them in chronilogical order (when I met them in life) so that the order means nothing!

Ironically, the first one would be Craig.

I met him around the same time I met Karen, eight years ago. He always fascinated me. You see, he's three (yes, Craig- THREE) years younger than me. He was always the kid that I thought was so cool and cracked me up. We went to the same church and went to a couple of church camps together. Over the years, after I left that church, we only hung out a couple of times but always kept slightly in touch here and there. Well last October I was incredibly bored one night on my trip to Arizona (my parents live there) and I decided to randomly text him! So, I did. The rest is history, he is now more than just the kid that fascinates me- he is the *guy* in my life. Boyfriend, best friend, confidant, you name it. That'd be Craig. He knows more about me than anyone else on the planet. He's so weird, I tell him that all the time. He really is weird. But I can't tell you how many times I've been called "so weird" by people in my life, so it's nice to find someone that falls in the same category. I have so much fun with him, I've learned so much him in every area of my life. And I can't wait to go to Australia with him in a year. (I'll get to the whole Australia thing eventually, if you don't already know what its about)

Speaking of Australia, the next friend in chronilogical order would be Audra.

The first time Audra and I ever remember speaking was on stage (ironic) during worship practice. It was about 7 years ago I believe. We instantly found a point in both of our hearts where we connected. We have the same goal in life, to be in the music ministry. We are both going to Australia to go to Hillsong College to get a degree in worship leading and whatever else God might have us do. I can tell this girl anything, and she will not falter in her friendship towards me. She is beautiful, she is amazing, and I am absolutely blown away every time I hang out with her (not exaggerating) about how CHRIST LIKE she is. She is full of grace to every person that she is involved with. She loves unconditionally. She is an inspirtation, and one of my favorite people to sing with. (the other being my sister). We have quite a future ahead of us together, that being on an entirely different continent and I cannot wait to experience life with her beyond America. :)

Shortly after I met Audra, I was introduced to her silly sister and other half, Ashleigh.

Oh, Ashleigh. Ash and I have had our ups and downs, and I don't know what it is- but something continues to bring me back to an strange closeness with this girl. We might not see each other all the time, or even talk all that often- but everytime we do get together, we dive so deeply into conversation that it doesn't seem like a minute has passed since I last got to spend time with her. She's so beautiful and so precious, but I don't think she knows it. I see such a strength welling up in her that is just waiting to be tapped into. I admire her passion for the people she loves. I hope to be able to talk about her a lot in this blog, because that would mean I'd be spending a lot of time with her. :)

Okay, only two more. Sorry this is long. Hang in there.

In the year 2004, shortly after I graduated highschool (wow was it really four years ago? I'm old), I stumbled across a completely random and unexplainable friendship that I never thought I had, and was brought into a lovely closeness with a family that has become what I call my second family since my parents and sister have moved away. I met Zack Ritchie, and then I met the Ritchies. I don't think I've ever had such an intense relationship with Zack, and then his sister, that I've ever had in my life. I've told them before that I felt like they were a part of my skin. I've never had such a rocky, crazy, scary, fun, weird, unexplainable friendship as I have with Zack. And with Brittany never such a sister-like, close, intense (sorry I just cannot think of another word to describe these people), loving, weird, difficult, yet addicting friendship. I love them like they are my own brother and sister. I love their parents like they are a second set, and they are. Although things may not be the same right now with either of them as they have been in the past, they will remain a huge landmark in my life that I will never forget. They have made me so much of who I am today. I have no doubt in my mind that I would not be the Christi I am right now if it wasn't for meeting the long haired boy, Zack Ritchie, in the summer of 2004. I can't imagine my life without him and Brittany and their family.

That is a picture of HORRIBLE quality of Zack, me and Brit but I think it's seriously the only one in the world that exists of us three together. Sad, but true.

Alright. I figured it would be appropriate to end with this group of girls I'm about to tell you about. My girls. My 5 girls who I graduated highschool with and am still silly, stupid and crazy with as much as we possibly can be now that we are all scattered in different cities, and some of us married or getting married. Karen, Megan, Janean, Courtney and Lauren are my girls. We all met as a whole in ninth grade and slowly made our way into an inseperable and probably annoying group of yellow tshirt wearing girls by 10th grade. Then somehow we ran off the other girls in our tiny private school class and ended up being the ONLY girls left in our grade by 11th grade. Then, we all graduated together. Karen wasn't there, but whatever-- she WAS. Yes, it's the same Karen as the one in the first entry. But when I am with these girls, I feel like everythings okay in the world. They spark such a highschool carefree feeling in me that I can get no where else. I miss them and think about them all the time. I love them SO much and I don't think they know how important they are to me. We are hilarious together, we have so many ridiculously stupid inside jokes, and memories that we could put on a huge stand up comedy show and make millions probably. Actually, I dunno, we'd probably be the only ones laughing. They are my heart and soul and will be the girls I tell my kids about when they are in highschool. It may not be seven forever anymore, but whatever it is- it IS forever.

Okay, that is all for today. I am off to Brenham to fetch my camera from Craig, and a few more errands on top of that back here in Austin.
I hope your day has found you happy! And that you smile a lot.
Christi

inspiration

2008-03-26T14:52:00.000-07:00

I've found in my measily 22 years on this planet, that inspiration comes pretty much daily. Whether it be in the form of a movie you watched, song you heard, speech you listened to, or friend you love- it comes. In my case, I was inspired to start up a blog like I used to have a few years ago by one of my few best friends, Karen Greer. She is absolutely superb. Please, stop by her blog as well! (I'm assuming that someone will actually read MINE to begin with haha). Click here to drop a visit to her little bloggy. So, that is my tid bit of inspiration for the day- I liked the idea of having a blog post-xanga days. So, here we are. I encourage you to start one as well.

I guess I should do an introduction and explain what I believe this blog will be about mostly. Me, of course. But also whatever interesting things, or profound happenings, or silly encounters happen during my day. I hope to share cool things I find online, maybe some even helpful! I can, however, almost garauntee you that a lot of what I will talk about or show you will be music related. That is for sure.

I think what I'm going to do in this post, being my first post, is introduce the characters in my life as I am sure that I will be speaking of them often as I go throughout my days. I suppose I'll begin with Karen since you've already met her. I'm going to try to find picture of each of the people I introduce that best depicts their personalities. Hehe.

Meet Karen.

Ahh hahaha. I love this picture. Very her. :) Karen and I have been friends since we were both 14 and in 9th grade. We were best of buds through most of highschool and still talk and get together on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, I'm having dinner with her tonight! She is one of the VERY few friends that I can tell absolutely anything to. I also tend to find myself laughing my butt off with her. We have memories like crazy. I love her so much! You will hear about her hopefully atleast on a weekly basis.

Next, we have Kristina.

Hehe. This is Kristina eating pizza on her wedding day. Priceless. Anyways, Kristina and I have been friends since we were 11 years old and playing handbells in sunday school. Or something like that. She lives in Houston, where I lived until I was 14, but we have remained best friends through out the following 7 years (and on!) after I moved here. I just got to visit her last weekend! Her and her husband are hilarious and I have an absolute blast when I'm with her. I try to talk to her several times a week and visit her as much as possible, and vice versa. She knows me inside and out and she's my boat. And you'll be annoyed if I tell you what boat stands for. I made it up when I was young, ok? I'm not as lame anymore.

And of course, last but definitely, positively, absolutely NOT least-
My sister Becky.

Becky is my sister and one of my core best friends with these other two girls. I talk to her pretty much daily, she loves cats, and she comes into town often so you will definitely be hearing about her. She cracks me up. We end up crying a lot of the time late at night when we're being ridiculous. She is the source of 90% of my inspiration in life. She's an amazing artist and a beautiful woman of God. She's going to go so far in life, I can't wait to watch her go. Please go visit her photography blog, click here, sit back and be amazed!

Okay, those are my core cannot-live-without-them girls in my life. They are the ones that have been around the longest and stuck around. Becky for 20 years, Kristina for 11, and Karen for 8. They are the inspiration for me to grow closer and closer to my Savior every day, they are the inspiration for me to sing, for me to love, for me to LIVE.

I really had not planned on this blog first of all being the long, and secondly being about those three girls! But, it suits me. They'rethe foundation for all the friendships that have come since. I will introduce the friends that have spurred from later years in my life coming soon. So do not fret if you are reading this and you know you're a huge part of my life but you were not mentioned here-- you're time is coming:)

I really hope this blog didn't run off any potential readers. I promise once I get the introductions out of the way, I will continue to have not-so-long (but sometimes they could be lengthy!) and more interesting posts! But, ya gotta know me and to know me, you gotta know my girls.

Have a marvelous day! Be Back soon.
Christi