Niniane's Xanga

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 11:03:18 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* goodbye tink *o*o*o*o*o*o*

She was a class act. Compassionate. Maternal. Playful. Sweet, sweet, sweet. Beautiful, inside and out...if that can be said of a cat. Our companion for 16 years...she was part of the family. She is already dreadfully missed. Goodbye, Tinkerbell...glad you're finally at peace.

Silly as it may seem to say a prayer regarding a cat, please do say a prayer for us if you thinkof us.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:23:35 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* sunday, sunday *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Jeepers, when did I get old? Get togethers of the "old TFC gang" now include babies and spouses. *lol But no complaints - Jason and Sarah's little girl is absolutely edible, she's so cute. It was nice to see 'Ferndale' again...hasn't changed a bit...well, except for being married...crazy. Oma's pregnant...Bryan's engaged...people coming and going so fast, it's dizzying. But fun. It's an interesting time of life.

Tonights shindig hosted by the Gerings and run by our temporarily restored world travelers - Ju, Jay & Nay - was great fun! Ju brought a favorite recipe back and we all got to make dumplings! I was pretty darn good at it, if I say so myself. Oh and, for the record, I like taking pride in a job well done - or a dumpling well placed - and I'm not OCD, thankyouverymuch. No names of who accused me of that...lets just say the same might be said of him with regards to geocaching. So there. *hehe

Oh but it was a fun night...any time with old friends is good. Thanks, all, it was a wonderful evening!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:13:04 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* inspired *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Hello again, xanga world. So...Christmas Day I came down sick...very...sick. With little else to do besides sleep and watch the telly, I found myself wandering the World Wide Web. In my meanderings, I reminiced through old familiar blogs and explored - intrigued - through new. I came upon one that, though not new in itself, was new to me...one belonging to a co-worker, James. Now, I - frankly - hardly know the guy so I hope it doesn't weird him out that I was reading his blog - James, if you are reading this, well, you do link to it.. And I was a fuzzy-sick-head...wasn't thinking in terms of whether I really should or not. Hope you don't mind.

Moving on.

I found myself amused...there was something in his blogging style that struck a cord. Daily going-ons communicated with brevity (usually) and wit (always)...huh...where have I seen that before? Hm. Well...it actually reminded me of my own blogging style. (You'll have to pardon me if that sounds a bit arrogant, but I think it's true...at least, it's what I strove for) But in company of creative writers, poets, english majors and artists I always felt my blogging style was...unimaginative...boring, even...was anyone really reading it? And, um, why?

I couldn't do what they did...so...I grew tired of trying to come up with something...and...gave up.

But I liked what he wrote...and how he wrote it...and I know others read his blog...and maybe I'm fooling myself that I can even write like that...but...regardless...I was inspired.

So...xanga revamped...new post added.
I won't go so far as to make it a New Years resolution - those never work out anyway - but...well...here's to trying.

Ok, so I missed the mark on "brevity".
Still...feels good to be back.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:35:09 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* a quarter century gone by *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Yes, the rumor is true...I am 25 today! And, no, I'm not dead.

(I know it's not really my place to post a birthday greeting for myself,
but it's so pretty I just had to!)

[edit]

And what a loverly day it's been! Thanks in no small part to all of you! From my roomie, Julie, greeting me with a chocolate chip muffin and a homemade card this morning; to the dozens of emails, texts, IM's and e-cards I've been peppered with all day; to the nerf darts being lovingly fired at my head (I'm looking at you, Mark ); and the gorgeous bouquet of flowers sent by some of my church friends (oh they small amazing!)...it has been a fantastic day!!! Ooh, and not to forget the chocolate-chip cheese cake my mama has waiting for me tonight, a-woo hoo!

Thank you, everyone!!!!

[/edit]

Friday, October 13, 2006

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:17:09 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* heeellooooo?? *o*o*o*o*o*o*

aaaaah
aaaAAHH
AAAHH-CHOOOO!

*sniff

Sorry about that, friends...guess I've allowed it to get a bit dusty in here being gone so long.
Work has a filter on it's internet now that I can only override on break and for 5 minutes at a time, so I haven't been online much except to take a peak for anything super important or whatever. And my lappy at home is basically kaput...but good news! I'll be coming into a fair amount of money this next month or two, so I should be getting myself a new computer, huzzah!

And in other good, and sorta related, news: I finally have a roommate! Her name is Julia...she's attended my church since she was just a little'in. Somehow I caught wind that she was looking to move out of her parents and after some thought and prayer she called me last week and by Monday she was moved in! I'm pretty stoked...she's a great girl and I think we'll be really great roomies. And thanks to her, I'll be saving $300 a month now, woohoo! Such a blessing.

Erm...other than that, work is going alright...one deadline after another, oy.

Other than that, it's just been awesome times with my kids at Hangtime! We had another of our retreats this last weekend...here's a special little dealy with a few of the pictures...I think if you click on it, it'll take you to a few more. Youth group has been amazing...we had an influx of 30-40 freshmen this year to add to our 30-40 already in high school. We took 60 kids to summer camp...about that many have been coming consistently each week to youth group...we took 50 this last weekend. It's exhausting...it's terrifying, but it's also absolutely incredible! The kids are just wonderful! If you think of us Wednesday night, pray for us!

P.S.
Hm...fancy that.

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times...
You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings
Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

You Belong in Fall

What Season Are You?

Monday, October 09, 2006

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 06:33:04 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* getting to know...um...me *o*o*o*o*o*o*

*::SIMPLE SURVEY::*
::BASIC STUFF::
::NAME:::	Christy
::AGE:::	25
::GENDER:::	Of the fe-male variety
::HEIGHT:::	4'11" and goin' to heaven! *it's a song, ok? gimme a break... :P
::HAIR COLOR:::	Dark blonde w/ a swirl of grey, ha
::EYE COLOR:::	Blue/green, depending
::PIERCINGS:::	3 in one, 2 in the other
::TATTOOS:::	None
::LEFTY/RIGHT/AMBIDEXTROUS:::	Bi-handual...but primarily right
::SHOE SIZE:::	5 1/2-7, depending
::HAT SIZE:::	psh, donno
::RING SIZE:::	Urg, donno...7-8, I guess
::ORIENTATION:::	I like boys
::RELATIONSHIP STATUS:::	Single
::DO YOU::
::SMOKE:::	Ew
::DO DRUGS:::	No *walks away
::DRINK:::	Occasionally
::PRAY:::	Not as much as I should
::GO TO CHURCH:::	I do!
::IM STRANGERS:::	Rarely, if ever
::TALK WALKS IN THE RAIN:::	Mmmmmhmmmm
::SLEEP WITH STUFFED ANIMALS:::	Only if I'm having a really sad night and I need cry bunny
::TALK TO PEOPLE THAT YOU HATE:::	Uh, don't usually have to...I don't typically hate people
::READ THE NEWSPAPER:::	Online, yeah conerdugh
::DRIVE:::	Yep yep...my "laaame Dooodge Stratus!" - SNL
::GO TO SCHOOL:::	No
::LIKE SCHOOL:::	I did
::EVER GET OFF THE COMPUTER:::	I work at a software company...what's a nerdgirl to do?
::HAVE YOU EVER::
::BROKEN ANY BONES:::	Nope
::BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY:::	Yes, many times
::RAN AWAY FROM HOME:::	Nu uh
::GONE A DAY WITHOUT FOOD:::	I do it unintentionally sometimes, oops
::TALKED ON THE PHONE ALL NIGHT:::	No...longest would maybe be 3-4 hrs
::HAD A DREAM THAT CAME TRUE:::	ha...daydreams count?
::MET A FAMOUS PERSON:::	I have.
::STOLEN ANYTHING:::	No, but at the hardened age of 6 I almost stole a children's mini book
::BEEN ON TV:::	TV, uh, no...but radio commercial, yes
::SLEPT ALL DAY:::	Mmmhm
::THOUGHT ABOUT SUICIDE:::	Not really...I didn't want for another day to come, but I couldn't kill myself
::BEEN SKINNY DIPPING:::	ha, no...er...no
::HAD SURGERY:::	Oral surgery
::DONE DRUGS:::	Only legal kinds under doctor and mom supervision
::YOU AND LIFE::
::DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRETS:::	Course
::DO YOU HAVE ANY BAD HABBITS:::	I talk more when I'm nervous
::DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL/DIARY:::	Multiple. And I neglect all of them pretty equally
::WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR:::	Uuh...the dark? Oh and failure
::WHAT ARE YOU GOALS IN LIFE:::	Do things that are worthwhile (then why am I doing this survey....? haha)
::WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS:::	Procrastination (Oh yeah...that's why )
::ARE YOU CONFIDENT:::	I used to be more
::ARE YOU AGGRESSIVE:::	Rarely
::ARE YOU BORED:::	Nope
::CAN YOU SING:::	Mmhm
::CAN YOU DANCE:::	Have rhymn, yes
::CAN YOU DRAW:::	I do alright
::DO YOU THINK EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON:::	Yes
::DO YOU THINK THAT THERE IS NO PURPOSE IN BEING ALIVE:::	Not at all
::DO YOU BELIEVE IN::
::KARMA:::	Yes, but not by that term
::ALIENS:::	ha...uh, guess I don't see why not
::GOD:::	Absolutely
::MAGIC:::	Not by that term
::LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT:::	Uh, unlikely
::GOOD LUCK:::	Technically, no
::BAD LUCK:::	See above
::ASTROLOGY:::	hahahahaha
::SANTA:::	Yes!! Er, ok, no.
::THE TOOTH FAIRY:::	Nope
::GHOSTS:::	Spirits, but very different from ghosts
::THE EASTER BUNNY:::	heh, no
::YING AND YANG (GOOD CAN'T EXIST WITHOUT BAD):::	No
::MIRACLES:::	Yes indeedy
::FRIENDS::
::BEST FRIEND/S:::	Anne, Jessi, Sarah, Jana, Leigh, Julia, Stephanie, Jay, Mark and my mom (what? heh)
::WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND FOR ADVICE:::	All of the above - I like options
::WHO CAN YOU TRUST WITH ANYTHING:::	Not to sound like a broken record, but all of the above
::WHO IS YOU CLOSEST FRIEND:::	Uuumm...prolly my mom
::WHO CAN RELATE TO YOU BEST:::	Several...each for different reasons
::WHO DO YOU MISS BEING CLOSE TO:::	Jay, maybe
::WHO'S HOUSE WERE YOU AT LAST:::	Julia & Steph's, lol...oh wait, it's mine, too Otherwise, my parents
::WHO MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE UNDERSTOOD:::	Anne and Leigh
::WHO DO YOU TALK TO ON THE PHONE MOST:::	My mom (as my cell bill established)
::WHO DO YOU TALK TO ONLINE THE MOST:::	Mark, Leigh, my mom
::WHO DO YOU TALK TO IN REAL LIFE THE MOST:::	Mom, Mark (we work together), Leigh, Jana, Anne
::WHICH FRIEND HAVE YOU KNOWN LONGEST:::	Of the above, my mom, of course. :-p Otherwise, Becca - womb to tomb; birth to earth
::FRIEND THAT'S LIKE A BROTHER:::	Jay
::FRIEND THAT'S LIKE A SISTER:::	Anne - just cuz she's most like my family
::LOVE LIFE::
::FIRST KISS:::	.....
::TURN ON:::	Well-founded conviction and integrity. To heavy? Bass voice, brown eyes and/or strong hands *melts
::TURN OFF:::	Arrogance; purposelessness; clinginess
::WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU FOUND OUT YOU BEST FRIEND LOVED YOU:::	ha...uh, yeah, been there, done that.
::WHAT DO YOU FIND ROMANTIC:::	With the right company, just about anything can be
::WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GIRLS ASKING GUYS OUT:::	Urg...call me old fashion, I have a problem with it
::IF SOMEONE OF NO INTEREST IN HAD INTEREST IN DATING YOU, HOW'D YOU FEEL:::	Flattered, but no...would have to get to know them
::EVER BEEN ROMANTICALLY ATTRACTED TO SOMEONE PHYSICALLY UNATTRACTIVE:::	Luke put it well - attraction is a lot more than physical
::DO YOU NECESSARILY HAVE TO KNOW THE PERSON YOU WANT TO DATE:::	Yes
::DESCRIBE YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER:::	.....
::LIGHTS ON OR OFF:::	.....
::WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX:::	They make me laugh and make me feel safe
::WHAT'S THE WORST THING ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX:::	Eh, we all have our flaws
::ARE YOU IN LOVE:::	Nope
::THIS OR THAT::
::DAY OR NIGHT:::	Night
::QUIZNOS OR SUBWAY:::	Quiznos
::CINGULAR OR SPRINT:::	Ew, Verizon
::BZOINK OR QUIZILLA:::	Quizilla (sorry Bzoink)
::ASK OR GOOGLE:::	Google
::CHIPS AHOY OR OREOS:::	Uh, oreos (double stuff, of course)
::KOOL AID OR CAPRI SUN:::	Capri Sun (frozen, please)
::VANILLA OR STRAWBERRY:::	Vanilla
::CLINGY OR DISTANT:::	Neither, but distant if I had to pick
::SMART OR DUMB:::	Smart (!!)
::SKATEBOARD OF BICYCLE:::	Bike
::GATORADE OR RED BULL:::	Ew
::BLACK OR WHITE:::	Black
::GIRLS OR GUYS:::	Guys
::WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON::
::YOU TALKED TO:::	Roomie Julia
::TO TURN YOU ON:::	Psh, uh......oh! NCIS Tony DiNozzo is a good looking man lol
::YOU HUGGED:::	I've been sick so I haven't seen anyone in a week...so lets see, my mom
::TO IMPRESS YOU:::	Stephen Smith - he's married!!
::YOU KISSED:::	Mom & Dad goodbye
::TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY:::	Julia about killed me w/ laughter last night
::YOU MISSED:::	All of my friends this week
::TO TICKLE YOU:::	My mom
::YOU SAW:::	Already answered...Julia...then Steph and Stacia before that
::TO TEXT YOU:::	J-bird
::YOU THOUGHT ABOUT:::	Different people through this survey
::TO IM YOU:::	Ugh...it was at work over a week ago
::YOU SAID "I LOVE YOU" TO AND ACTUALLY MEANT IT:::	I usually mean it
::TO TOUCH YOU:::	Uh, my mom, but put that way sounds weird
::FINISH THE SENTENCE::
::I NEED:::	to feel better
::I WANT:::	mm...sadly too many to chose
::I HAVE:::	a sore throat
::I MISS:::	bunches of people
::I LIKE:::	pina colada's and getting caught in the rain...haha
::I HATE:::	"the man"
::I FEEL:::	tired, but happy
::I DREAM:::	weird things like checking for flight numbers printed on m'n'm's
::I HEAR:::	my tummy growling and my roommate wailing
::I AM:::	content for the moment
::I PRETEND:::	being single doesn't bother me sometimes
::I SUPPOSE:::	I should actually do something with my day
::I WISH:::	"for the one I love...to find me..." haha
::I LOVE:::	lots of truly incredible people
Take this survey \| Find more surveys Bzoink - The Original Survey Site

Monday, September 11, 2006

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:54:53 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* we'll never forget *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Or will we?

I was at Master's. I didn't have class until 9:30 or 10, so I was asleep when my roommate flipped on the radio and woke me initially. I asked her what was going on and she said "I donno". I drifted back off to sleep.

Half hour later I became conscience of voices in the hall..."I heard 3 planes"..."In New York?"..."I heard Washington"...and I drifted off again.

20 minutes later I woke and sat up to listen to the radio with my roommate. I remember it was very difficult to discern what was going on...the details were very confused. Plus...it was all too much...3 planes? A massive tower collapsed? No way...that's huge.

I put on my jeans, 3 quarter length teal t-shirt, beige fleece vest and white canvas shoes...threw my messenger bag over my shoulder. Walked out into the morning sun. Why do I remember that? Hm.

I caught up with Jay - wouldn't you know he was visiting that week? - and we discussed what we each heard and were still pretty fuzzy on the details. We were called to a prayer chapel and were told morning classes were canceled and we could watch the news on a TV in the student center. Jay went to the computer lab to check email. I remember standing in the lounge with many of my schoolmates watching the news and still not comprehending the magnitude of the event...was it 2 planes? What happened at the Pentagon?

I got my job in the tutoring center that day. I'll always remember that. Random.

3:00 in the afternoon I had my speech class...Jay came with me. We walked into a darkened classroom and took our seats. No one moved to turn on the lights. Our teacher walked in and said there would be no class today...so we could go...but he would like to talk with anyone who wanted to stay. No one moved. "Does anyone have family or friends over there?" There were 3. Two family friends and a sister. None had received word about them yet. That was the first time something broke through for me.

The next day I went to play practice where my director told us we would not be practicing that night...but she brought as many newspapers as she could get her hands on and we finally discussed the details of the events. 4 planes. 2 towers and another building collapsed. One into the Pentagon. One into a field in Pennsylvania. Thousands dead...thousands...dead. I looked at the pictures and finally got it...and was so overwhelmed with grief for the families and our country.

I'll never forget...that's where I was...where were you?

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:46:37 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* joy and blessings *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Laughter is great...it's wonderful...and I love capturing people in the middle of it. In tribute, I put a few images on my desktop that are just so awesome, I have to share!

From left to right:

(@) My parents on their 25th anniversary - we went out to a beach and I took pictures. Dad was trying to take it all serious and the more serious and sentimental he tried to act, the goofier mom got...she couldn't keep a straight face! hehe But I enjoyed it...then we all toasted to another 25 years!

(@) Dear Jessi Rae - we (Jessi, Sarah, Anne and I) were waiting outside the Pickford Theater when I snapped this little gem. Jessi didn't like it...thought she looked like she was sneezing...but I love it and it's clear to me that she's merrily laughing as she so frequently and infectiously does.

(@) Anne-abelle, banana-belle - Credit where credit is due...Jessi took this picture and I absolutely adore it...a bit of a happy accident I'd say with the motion blurs. Yet another evening out with the ladies - though, I believe we were sans-Sarah that night - on a stroll around the Lynden inter-urban trail. As I recall the highlights of that evening were pooh sticks and spitting and dancing on things. hehe Love you, girls...here's to growing old together!

(@) And last, but certainly not least...my bestest buddy, Jay. I think of you and I smile...love ya, man.

Sarah - you'd be on there too, darlin', but I don't have any good pictures of you! Know this: I plan to have my camera out and ready until I get a good shot, hehehehehe!

These 6 people (including the not-presently-pictured Sarah) are family and I thank God for them...I am so blessed!

P.S. On a totally unrelated note: I also wanna say that I love Haggens...not as much as the above folk, but still…there is a whole lotta love going out to our local grocery store! Why? Because…they are the first, IMHO, to get a trail mix right! It always happens…I get a trail mix and I like about…mmm…70-80% of the stuff in it, but there are always these other things I have to avoid. Or it’s such a simple blend that there’s nothing really exciting about it. Well, no longer! Haggens has their own blend of just about all my favey’s: lightly salted peanuts, almonds, sesame sticks, raisons, M’n’M’s, cashews and the piez-de-resistance - honey-roasted peanuts. Oh man…there’s a party in my mouth and you’re all invited…hehe

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:45:41 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* moose, he was a good fish *o*o*o*o*o*o*

Many of may not have even been aware that I had a fish. I did. His name was Wally, but everyone called him Moose...nicknamed after the big lug from the Archie comics. Yesterday, Moose wasn't looking to good and by this morning he'd gone to that big Fish Bowl in the sky.

Rest in peace, Moosie.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:34:37 GMT

*o*o*o*o*o*o* nerdnerdnerd *o*o*o*o*o*o*

What does this mean? Your nerdiness is:
Mid-Level Nerd. Wow, it takes a lot of hard nerdy practice to reach this level

I was hesitant about posting this...
I mean, it's almost embarrassing...

Almost, but not quite, hehehehehe.

And, as it happens, I'm not only good inner-lec-tully, but emotionally as well!
Huh, well, I'll be...will Caesars never wonder?

Your EQ is 147

50 or less: Thanks for answering honestly. Now get yourself a shrink, quick!
51-70: When it comes to understanding human emotions, you'd have better luck understanding Chinese.
71-90: You've got more emotional intelligence than the average frat boy. Barely.
91-110: You're average. It's easy to predict how you'll react to things. But anyone could have guessed that.
111-130: You usually have it going on emotionally, but roadblocks tend to land you on your butt.
131-150: You are remarkable when it comes to relating with others. Only the biggest losers get under your skin.
150+: Two possibilities - you've either out "Dr. Phil-ed" Dr. Phil... or you're a dirty liar.

What's Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?

Currently Feeling: S-M-R-T!