Where I Am . . . today; going; supposed to be

This trip was everything I had hoped it would be and more. This company does not disappoint. The more I learn the more I love it.

Last Wednesday was a loooooooong day. I was hoping to get to bed early Tuesday evening but circumstances dictated otherwise. I went to bed around midnight. I got up sometime around 4am. I manuevered the MTC transit system with feigned confidence that I don’t think fooled anyone. I was sweating the whole time because I was so nervous that I was going to miss a transfer. However, everything went smoothly. I asked a few questions and people were very helpful.

The flight from Minneapolis to Dallas was interesting. While waiting to taxi the lights on the plane went out several times. It seemed the pilot had to “start” the plane at least twice. I could hear Phoebe telling Rachel to get off the plane because there was something wrong with the philangy.
The crew chief was very funny - I thought I was on a sitcome and didn’t know it. He was going over the safety procedures to which I was half listening too. I tuned in when I heard him say “blah, blah, blah - you guys aren’t listening anyway and besides it’s too early in the morning”. He just made the flight amusing. At the end of the flight he said “Remember me - I’m running for governor of Texas”.

I won’t share everything that happened otherwise this would be very long. I will share one story told by Pat Fortunberry, the #2 National Director in all of Mary Kay.

A farmer’s mule fell into a well. As much as he tried to get his mule out he could not manage it. Finally, he realized that the only solution was to bury the mule. So he called his friends to come and help him. With their shovels they took turns hauling dirt into the well. However, the farmer soon discovered what the mule was doing. With each load of dirt the mule would shake it off and step up. Eventually, the mule just stepped up and walked out of the well.

I think you get the point however I will re-iterate. There is always going to be a challenge in your life. In Mary Kay they say people are either going into a crisis, going through one, or coming out of one. “Shake it off and step up”.

I HAVE to share this funny story. During my national area’s “fun night” Sue Kirkpatrick came over and introduced herself. She is my national director (in Mary Kay that’s the highest level you can achieve - very impressive). I was seated at a table and I turned to shake her hand. During which my hand knocked over a water glass that was too closely situated to the edge the table. The water landed right on my white pants . . . yeah! how embarrassing!! We laughed and then just continued talking. After she left however, I just died laughing with Corinne. What can I say I make a good first impression.

Early tomorrow morning I depart on an exciting adventure: Mary Kay Ruby Seminar 2006. I’m nervous about getting to the airport since I’m planning on taking the bus. I’m excited about everything I am going to see. I’m nervous I’m going to forget something important or bring too much of what I don’t need. I’m excited about the food:) I’m nervous my fake tan won’t come off of my hands in time=) yeah, chalk one up to trial and error.

Overall I know no matter what happens I know I will have some great stories to share.

The comics weren’t too funny today so I thought I would show you these pictures. While I was out and about on Tuesday I saw this car and it has to be one of the ugliest things I have ever seen. The pictures turned out better than I thought. It has those magnetic letter on the front and rear bumper. Also, if you look really close you might be able to see that the owner has drawn cirles everywhere on this car as those the plan is to fill in every circle.

On a completely other note, which I do often, tonight I’m planning on going to the MOA with Craig, Joanna, and kids. POG will be singing so I think that will be fun and of course I’ll have to swing by EB MOA style. What are you doing?

One week from today I am going to Dallas, Texas for the Ruby (the MK national area I am in) National Seminar. I am soooooooo excited. Believe me I’ll tell you all about it when I get back. I hear it’s quit the show. Anyway, the national director I am under has a black and gold banquet one of the evenings. From what I understand they really get dressed up for this event and the main awards night. So I had the dilema of what to wear.
I found this dress at Ann Taylor (on sale of course) and I was so excited. I think it looks more like a fancy cocktail dress but it’s black and gold and I just love it. Now I just need the right accessories to go with it to make it a little more fancy. I guess I’ll see if I am “underdressed” or blend right in:)

Speaking of clothes - because I am an Eddie Bauer associate - I have from today until the end of the week to pick out any one pair of jeans and pay only $1. I love this store. Let me tell you the fall line is G-orgeous!!! I think I’m paying EB to work there - jk.

I love my church. I feel very blessed by God in leading me to this body of believers at this point in my life. PLBC has been a life-line for me in so many small ways that have added up in making an impact on my life.

In College and Career Sunday School (that meets at Caribou Coffee:) we have been studying the book of Joshua. We have been looking at how compromise and sin affects not only the individual but the body of Christ.

This past Sunday morning Pastor Muri spoke on worship. He talked about how God’s holiness makes Him distant from us but His love makes Him approachable. He used the story of God speaking to Moses in the burning bush and telling Moses to take his sandals off because he was on holy ground.

Sunday night Dennis Wilkinson spoke on complaining and no matter how small - it is a demonstration of our lack of trusting God. I was convicted all day!!!

I know that I have been complaining a lot lately in my various posts - money, the DMV, no husband or special guy in my life, etc. and I would just like to say that I was wrong and say that I am sorry. I haven’t been trusting God or been thankful in all things. I’m not looking for a pity party. I haven’t been giving God the glory nor have I been edifying my brothers/sisters in Christ. I guess I just want to acknowledge that and say I’m sorry.

Anyone who knows me well knows that Singing in the Rain is one of my absolute favorite movies of all time.
I would love to play Lena Lemont’s character. I could so totally pull it off:)
Anyway, this past Saturday I took my mom (for her mother’s day gift - the play didn’t start until after mother’s day so I wasn’t being negligent) to the Chanhassen dinner theatre. We had a great time, except for when they took “theatrical liberties” - I don’t get that anyway. It doesn’t move the story forward. I would rather them give me a free dessert - yum!
Anyway Singing in the Rain has some of the best lines out there - mostly because of Lena:
“I am a shimmering star in the cinema firmament. It says so - right here.”

“If we bring a little joy into your hum-drum lives . . . then our hard work ain’t been in vain for nothin’.”

“Of course we talk. Don’t everybody”. (You have to hear her say it in that scene)
The scene by Cosmos character where he sings Make Them Laugh - is the best. If you haven’t seen this movie you really need to - but I recommend skipping the “modern” section of the movie. It’s long and tedious and it’s just filler - so use the FF button without reservation:)

Happy 4th of July!!

This picture isn’t too bad considering I took it with my phone.

Today I didn’t find any of the comics real funny so I decided to take a picture of myself- hmmm. Anyway, my hair is getting long. I usually wear it up so often that even I don’t realize how long it’s getting - which may be hard to tell in these pictures because it’s shorter on the sides, longer in the back. (Like you really care - it’s a slow day)

What I’m currently reading:

Today during my lunch break I was reading about Thomas Jefferson. Did you know that the Lewis and Clark expedition of the Louisiana Purchase was technically illegal?? I’m really enjoying this book. It offers a brief syopsis on each president which makes it perfect to read during my lunch break.

As of this morning my whole “thing” with my driver’s license and ticket is over. I got my MN license yesterday. When I got to the testing counter the FIRST question she asked me was “have you ever had a MN driver’s license before?” I answered “yes”. She checked my information and said “you don’t have to take the test you just owe $21.50″. I just laughed - unbelievable!! You know if the lady at the counter had asked me that question when I went to get my plates, transfer my title (last August) this whole “thing” could have been avoided. I’m a little miffed right now at the DMV but it will pass.

Then this morning I went to appeal my ticket to the hearing officer. She reduced my ticket to $150 instead of $192. I’m just glad that’s it’s over now.

The VP of the company where I work at told me I should have just lied to the police officer because the fine is absurd; true, very true, however, that’s not the point.

I really hope that this whole little drama phase in my life is over with because it’s exhausting.

This is another entry where the two items are completely unrelated except that they both start with “M”.

My brother Craig has a motorcycle and I got to ride on it for the first time - not around the neighborhood block but on the highway and it was quite the experience. It was fun but I wouldn’t want to go on a long road trip like that. I realized that I am getting old - I know ‘duh’. Honestly though as we were riding I started thinking about “what if this happens” or “man, it would be really nasty if we wiped out”, etc. Which made me think of how most kids/teenagers don’t have any fear about physical harm. They will hurl themselves into the air and do this or that and sometimes I just wish I could do more of that kind of stuff.

About the magots or I should say magot. I heard about this so I had to check it out. Some advance warning: it is pretty gross so watch at your own amusement.
This English lady had a magot in her head- check it out here. (go to the heading that says Watch This at this web page.)

Elisabeth, guess who I found online??? My crazy friend A. Scott
Ahhh, my week has now ended on a good note:)
And hopefully I’ll be seeing TDWP with my friend Alex (uh, that’s my FEMALE co-worker/friend from Eddie Bauer) either tonight or tomorrow.
And I get to see my “cousin” Charity on Sunday. I’m so excited. There is a picture of me and Charity somewhere on this blog. I miss her.

This whole drama thing is wearing me out. I would gladly give my title to someone else. See latest episode: My car, rush hour, the police, and Wal-Mart.

My car has been having problems lately. It sputters, dies, stahls, then works fine, etc. I took my car in last Friday to be fixed. $334 later I’m on my way. The car does work better but it’s still not perfect. So I take it back on Monday and tell them that I need it back by 4:30 because I’m supposed to meet my mom for dinner.
(My mom and I were going to meet in Stillwater to have some fun - have dinner on the Minnesota Zephyr (3 hr train ride), stay over-night at a hotel, tour the town on the 4th. The dinner tickets were non-refundable.)

So I go to pick up my car and the mechanic tells me that they can’t figure out what’s wrong with my car. It acts as if it’s getting too much fuel - weird. So the plan is for me to bring it back in on Wed. (today).

I go home, pack, leave to meet my mom. Before I even get to the highway my car is giving me problems so I pull into a small shopping center and drive around the lot to see it my car will work itself out of its “funk”. However, it doesn’t seem to be doing so - it will work great and then loose power. Then I’m thinking - mom’s waiting, the non-refund. tickets, what’s wrong with my car???
Usually when my car is on the freeway just going it works great. So that’s the plan. I get onto 494 and ok, things are back to “normal”. I drive for probably 10-15 min and my car just looses power so I pull to the left shoulder. I keep creaping along until I reach the bridge where there is no longer a shoulder. I get the car going again and yep, it looses power again. I put my hazards on, I look in my rear-view mirror and see this big, black SUV coming very fast - well, a lot of cars coming very fast but I just distinctly remember the SUV. My heart is pounding. Eventually a line of cars are behind me. I get my car to go again and make it over to a VERY small shoulder where cars can go by.

After a while I see these flashing lights behind me and I see a tow truck and about 50 yards behind him a police car behind which, about another 15 yards is a DMV truck. This is all happening around 6:30ishpm - yeah!!

So the tow truck takes me and my car to the nearest gas station. I call AAA and make arrangements to have my car towed back to the auto repair shop where my car had been earlier in the day. Mom comes and picks me up and takes me out to eat and then to the hotel where I realize that I forgot to pack my pajamas. I drive over to Wal-Mart where I thankfully find a set of pjs for $5.

I fell asleep but then I woke up and for probably 5 minutes kept thinking about that SUV and big FedEx semi - over and over again.

Well, my mom and I had a great time in Stillwater yesterday. We met up with Joanna on my mom’s way home. I went to her house and picked up their Jeep and we went to my apartment, dropped off the Jeep and rode with her to see fireworks. It’s been a long two days.

I am tired physically, tired of having no $$, and especially tired of this drama. However there were some amazing good things that happened through all of this:
1. The tow truck who picked me up didn’t charge me which would have been at least $65.
2. I didn’t have to find an auto shop for my car, which would have been another stressor.
3. My mom was in the area so she didn’t have far to come pick me up.
4. I do have some money to fix the car I just hate to use the source for this type of thing.
5. Joanna and Craig have a vehicle for me to use while my car is being diagnosed and fixed.
6. I’m still here!!
To be honest I am having a hard time focusing on the positive. I shouldn’t have even gotten on the highway. I probably should look for a different car. However, after this is hopefully fixed - this should be the last thing that needs to be fixed. I don’t know if I can afford another monthly payment such as a car payment. I just don’t know what to do.

So about Friday night’s date:) Hmmmm how should I put this???? It was fun. He’s young. There will be no second date. As you know I am not a veteran of first dates but even I thought it was a little long. He picked me up at 5:30ish and took me to Caribou Coffee. I thought great this will be a short, simple first date - check the scene out. Well, that’s what I thought:) He proposed over coffee the itinerary for the evening: after coffee go get something to eat and then go to Comedy Sportz. Nothing wrong with that so sure, why not?

He takes me to a Mongolian Bar-b-que which is a new experience for me. Here at the restaurant is where two of the funniest moments of the evening takes place. He proceeds to tell the waiter that I was a virgin mongolian bar-b-quer (?) to which the waiter replied “I thought he was going to stop at virgin”? I just about spit out my water and my face already red at the “label”. It was even more funny because Ross didn’t hear what the waiter said.

The second came while we were eating. I asked Ross about the big dreams/ goals he talked about. He wants to start a world outreach ministry and be the president of the United States. So I asked him if he was going to do/be both at the same time (for my own amusement). To which he just kind of replied
“maybe”.
The most embarrassing moment for me came during Comedy Sportz. During a skit I was drinking some water. They were doing something funny and as I was sipping my water I thought about what they just did and it made me laugh even more - however I was in mid-sid and it just went up/out my nose, all over my face, hand, eyes.

So around 10:15pm - yea - we are almost back to my apartment and he asks me if I would like to take a walk around the park. To which I graciously declined. To this ‘virgin dater’ a 5 hour date seems like a marathon.

To his credit he was very polite, respectful, and thoughtful. He’s just young and also considering getting his PhD in theology from Oral Roberts University or similiar college. Hmmmm??

So when he dropped me off at my apt building and asked if he could call me later this week I tactfully (I promise) but straightforwardly told him that on my part I saw this developing more as a friendship rather than a friendship heading in another direction. I didn’t want to lead him on or give him false hope.

Oh, and one other thing. I thought I was dressed very nice - nice khakis cropped pants, white collared summer shirt with a 3/4 flowered sweater. Remember I didn’t know what we would be doing. He showed up wearing cargo type tan shorts, grey polo, tennis shoes and white sox, and a visor. I felt a little over dressed.

In conclusion, I did have fun. It was a good experience. I will be going back to GE this week and come to some sort of conclusion/cancellation with my relationship with them. This is not for me.