The Lord shows compassion

For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever.

Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.

For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men.

Lamentations 3:31-33

My Grandfather became ill a few days after Christmas. He was not eating, and could not hold down what he would eat. His doctor had him go to the hospital to run some tests, they originally thought it was an ulcer. It turns out it was much more and he has terminal cancer. He has not eaten since being admitted to the hospital and is hooked up to IV fluids. Tonight he was admitted to the ICU because of fluid in his lungs and he was coughing up bile. My Grandfathers days are coming to an end, my family is slowly dwindling.

I love you Grandpa Phil.

John Williams is the MAN

Life through glasses

So I now live life through glasses. I am still getting used to having to wear them. It is not my first choice of things I want in life, but it is really not that bad. I am now just paranoid that I will break them and have to buy another pair. The picture to the right is a picture of my new frames.

20/5

I am now the proud owner of glasses. I always thought I had 20/20 vision until the last month or so when I noticed how often I was getting headaches while sitting at the computer/reading. So I decided to go see the eye doctor and get a real exam. I found out I am farsighted 20/5 and have to wear glasses. To the left is a picture of the frames I got, they are Ray Bans.

Prop 4

I am appalled that we live in a state that children cannot even take aspirin at school with out parental notification but they can have major surgery. Why would a parent not want to know if their child had an abortion?

A Very Rosie Christmas

Many of you already know my love for Rosie Thomas, that love is going to get 10x bigger on 11/4/08. Why you may ask...she is releasing a Christmas album and going on tour! I already bought tickets for Dave and I for the December 9th show at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. Bek you should come to the show, Alissa if you are home you should too. In other Rosie news she got married!

to hear the first song off the album go to her myspace page:
http://myspace.com/rosiethomasmusic
the song is called Why Can't It be Christmastime All Year?

SEASON 5 OFFICIAL PROMO!!!!

SEASON 5 OFFICIAL PROMO!!!!

I am so excited for season 5! I am counting down until February 4, 2009.

Posted using ShareThis

Johnny Cash the Man In Black

This video was featured today on YouTube

Once I watched the America video I had to watch Hurt. Every time I hear Johnny Cash's version I get chills. Most people do not realize he actually covered it from NIN, Cash's is better.

The answer to our economic issues

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

Grandpa Pete Lopez's 80th birthday party

Yesterday was another Lopez family gathering. This time it was in honor of Dave and Steve's grandfather Pete's 80th birthday party. The Lopez family loves to throw a party, seriously they will throw one any chance. The Lopez gatherings are always family packed everyone shows up for true family community. There is always a lot of food, music and awkwardness. No matter what house the gathering is at everyone brings their music equipment for a family Jam. Uncle Mike brings his 10+ harmonica's and sound stuff, Cousin Chris brings bass, Cousin Daniel and Step-mom Sue bring Keys, Father Bob brings sound stuff and guitar, Grandma and Grandpa Lopez bring bongos (Grandma plays) and Guitar (Grandpa plays), Aunt Angela brings flute, Cousin Jason brings drums, and other family members bring things too. The Older crowd usually sings traditional Mexican songs, the kids usually plays various 60's-present day songs, and the grand children usually jam along.

His family is huge and all very warm, loving and accepting of guests. Everyone went around and said something they loved about Grandpa before eating. It was very heartwarming to see generations of family honoring this great man.

Their Cousin Mary is home from the Air Force for a few weeks before deploying to South Korea for a year. To honor Grandpa Pete she dressed in her uniform to give him a military salute for his birthday (which was really nice). Then the family interviewed her for about 10 minutes and finally made her sing the National Anthem (they all joined in in singing).

It was a great party.

Candy Corn

I love candy corn and think it may be laced with some addictive substance. I eat a lot of it around Halloween and I often eat too much. It is really a love hate relationship... I just love candy corn too much.

Today I looked up candy corn on the internet machine and according to Wikipedia: The National Confectioners Association estimate 20 million pounds of candy corn are sold each year. October 30 is National Candy Corn Day. They also claim it is available year-round. I have never seen it past Thanksgiving.

For an Ode to Candy Corn from NPR click here

No my name is not Michelle!-2

So I wrote a post about how a sorority has my # as Michelle who seems to plan everything. I have been getting texts and some calls. I told a few of them, "I am not Michelle!" Tonight I got another one and I decided to fight back by messing with them.

Random Girl: Hey this is kory oberjuerge my big told me 2 contact u about del tiki. i am thinking of playing is there anything i need 2 know or do
Me: Yes you need 2 bring the following things: a tiki torch, a gorilla, 50 Orange tic tacs and a red bikini. -Michelle
Random Girl: Um thats a joke right i am hoping thats a joke. i am up 4 bringing tic tacs but pink is really not my color. k
Random Girl: I meant 2 say red is not my color.
Me: No joke tell the sisters
Random Girl: Ya ok. i might have a little trouble finding a gorilla on such short notice

Today was not a great day for the Dodgers...specifically the 2nd and 3rd innings of Game 2 vs. the Phillies. I hope we can pull it together for Sunday's game at Chavez Revine.

Also, Dave and I went to Disneyland today! It is Halloween time there...they had giant candy corns all over and great decorations/the Haunted Mansion was The Nightmare Before Christmas. We also went on the new Toy Story Mania ride at California Adventure! Oh my gosh that ride is so much fun, even more than the Buzz Lightyear ride. The park was actually really crowded, we had to park on the 5 floor (I have not parked above the 3 floor in over 3 years). It was a really fun day despite the crushing Dodgers loss.

Julia Nunes always makes me smile.

Twilight

DODGERS

First game against the Cubbies was a great success. 1 Grand slam by Loney, 1 homer by Martin and another homer by Ramirez (he hardly even tried).

Lets sweep them.

World Series here we come!

The Dodgers clenched the NL West and start the first round of the playoffs against the Cubs tomorrow. It has been a long hard road to get the pennant, but the boys in Blue did it.

This first round will be tough...the Cubs had a pretty fairy tale season. Furcal is back and at the top of the batting order (Furcal, Martin and Manny will be unbeatable). Although, I am disappointed Nomar is benched...they better put him on the roster. Come on Dodgers!

Why do these thing happen to me?

So Thursday I attended an Office premier party. I brought a bag full of Dr. Pepper and Vanilla Coke for said party. I left it in my car because it had been decent temperatures all week. Only Thursday was like 100 and about 5 of the sodas exploded all over my car. I came out from work and saw what looked like water spots at first glance on the driver side window. Then I looked closer and realized it was much more. I opened the door to find a soda can had shot across the car and everything was covered in dried sticky soda. My dash board, my windows, my shifter, doors, my carpets, the roof, center consul, stereo, and the front two seats were drenched. Thankfully at least the back was only lightly covered. It took Dave and I an hour with wet towels to clean the mess off before I could even drive away. I still need to go over and detail the interior because it is still mildly sticky. This would happen to me!

The Office Season 5

Pam Beesly: Tomorrow I start a three month design program at the Pratt Institute in New York. I will be a little fish in the Big Apple... What up 2-1-2!

Kelly: [looking very sick] I'm on the third day of my cleanse diet. All I have to do is drink maple syrup, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and water for all three meals. Um, I just bought some bikinis online too so.. I'm gonna look amazing.

Pam Beesly:	[yelling over the rain] Hey! This is not halfway! I did that math, I had to drive way longer than you. Montclair would've been closer so you have to buy lunch.
	[Jim gets down on one knee]
Pam Beesly:	What are you doing?
Jim Halpert:	I just... couldn't wait.
Pam Beesly:	Oh my God.
Jim Halpert:	Pam, will you marry me?
Pam Beesly:	Oh my God.
Jim Halpert:	So?
Pam Beesly:	[nodding head] Yes.

No! My name is not Michelle!

Apparently Tri Delta sorority at some school has put my number down as Michelle's who seems to be the Tri Delta president. Contrary to popular belief Tri Delt my name is not Michelle. I am not your sorority sister, stop calling and texting me!!!!!

What a crazy night

Last night I had a dream that I was unhappy with on of the pictures up on my wall for some reason. In the dream I don't remember a specific picture or location. When I woke up the framed picture that is to the left of my bed was carefully placed on the floor next to my purse! I have no remembrance of waking up to do this. Also, to get the picture I would of needed to get out of bed and either kneel or stand to get it down.

I have done some crazy stuff in my sleep, this makes me wonder what other things I have done a not realized.

Ouch! There is a wall in the hallway.

Last night after I finished getting ready for bed I walked out of the bathroom. It was very dark and I turned where I though the hall was. The suddenly I ran full force into the corner of the wall. OUCH! My knee is all bruised an swollen...I was so embarrassed.

Tegan and Sara-Call It Off

I love Tegan and Sara! This video is so good.

Metrolink #111 Crash

**UPDATE** Mr. Long passed away today around 12pm. Pray for his family.
Yesterday there was a catastrophic crash of metrolink train #111 in Chatsworth. Praise God Mr. Nickles was not on the train. Although I did find out I knew someone on the train, Mr. Long a high school teacher from Oaks Christian. He and his family were returning on the train from his mothers memorial. This is a very sad time for his family Mr. Long was critically injured and underwent emergency brain surgery. There are reports he was coming off life support and some reports he had passed. I am not sure if he has passed away...I pray he has not.

His son Devin was interviewed and put in the NY Times:
Devin Long, 16, was sitting in the middle car with his parents when the trains collided. “There was a great big jerk,” he said. “I heard what sounded like a bunch of cars colliding, like a multicar crash. Both my parents went flying. Next thing I knew, I was on the floor between the exit doors.” Mr. Long was thrown from his seat, but remained conscious.

His father, Paul Long, 56, lay unconscious but breathing by the stairwell to the second level of the double-decker car. His mother, Karen Long, 55, was injured but alert, he said. “When I saw the condition Dad was in, I sort of freaked out,” he said. “Mom was trying to communicate with Dad. I turned around and saw all the seat cushions tossed about the car. There was blood everywhere. People had cuts on their heads and faces, legs, they had many injuries.”

STRYPER is always there for you

San Diego is a town filled with losers

Right now the Dodgers are on there way to winning the third game against SD. Tomorrow they will go to Colorado (hopefully to sweep the Rockies). In yesterdays game Andre Either had 4 RBI's in the last two innings, securing the Dodgers 1st place lead against SD (winning 6-2)! After tonight's game and Manny's 2 (2 run homers) we are in a solid lead of 3.5 games in the west. Take that "Los D-Backs" we are on our way to the pennant!

I LOVE LA! Tonight's game ended 7-2 We have won 10 of the last 11 games!
For a funny article click here: San Diego is a town filled with losers

Awkward moments

Today Dave and I decided to try the Pita Pit for lunch. I was interested even though my friend Jason speaks so passionately about how he hates it. When we went in it was practically empty so the employee's were extra eager to serve us, making it slightly awkward. I ordered a breakfast pita even though it was 12. It came with eggs, bacon, hash browns, green peppers, onions and cheese (at least that is what the menu claimed). Apparently the lady asked if I wanted mushrooms but I did not understand what she was asking so just said yes. When they put the food into the pita I saw a mushroom and made a funny face...this is when it got awkward. She saw my funny face and the conversation went as such:

Lady: "oh don't worry I did not forget the bacon"
Me: "I know I just saw the mushroom...does it have mushrooms? The menu said it did not."
Lady: "That is why I asked you. I can make it again"
Me: "Oh no it is fine I will just pick them out"
Lady: "no it is fine! (other employee joins in) it will not take any time! (obviously since we are your only clients)
Me: "No really please don't I do not want to wait."
Both ladies: (Throws pita away) "We will just make it again"
Me: "aaah uuuuh aaaah ok (by this point I feel as if I am in an SNL skit and am so awkward)
Second Lady: (Over eagerly) "We don't mind...customer satisfaction is most important"
Me: "uuuuuuum Thanks?"

The best part was Dave watching the train wreck from our table just laughing. And then being the only two people eating while the ladies just waited for more customers. Oh man lesson learned never eat at the Pita Pit!

And then the kicker later in the day was going to Palermo coffee shop in Ventura. I accidentally took someone Else's Chai because I thought they said Non-fat Chai (Dave heard it too). When the other lady came to get hers about 5 minutes later I was already drinking it. I smiled apologetically and said I was sorry. She looked at me as if I was the devils spawn, especially when my drink popped up. Then Dave's drink took another 5 minutes (the whole time the lady just talked about how I took her drink). Once Dave's drink came up I took his arm and ran out of the store.

I am flawed

All this flashy rhetoric about loving you.
I never had a selfless thought since I was born.
I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through;
I want God, you, all friends, merely to serve my turn.

Peace, reassurance, pleasure, are goals I seek,
I cannot crawl one inch outside my proper skin;
I talk of love- a scholar's parrot may talk Greek-
But, self-imprisoned, always end where I begin.
-C.S. Lewis

"I think Jesus feels strongly about communicating the idea of our brokenness, and I think it is worth reflection" -Donald Miller

Lately I have been thinking a lot about how broken I am (Or more aware to the monster living inside) and how good God is. Society is so selfish and I am no exception. I often push God away, much to my own detriment. It is usually to the point where I am close to running away that I remember to let God comfort me. Usually I find it easier to do things myself, maybe this is due to supporting myself for so long. This personality trait usually does not work so well with God.

Sometimes I forget that everything is not about what I want, need and demand. This usually manifests itself into thinking I am always right (I am also very stubborn), when sometimes I am very far off. This past week I have felt very comforted by God, making is much easier to abide in Him. It is very nice to feel God's comfort after a long time of running away.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer."
-2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Dangling Participle

"Pam: So I closed the door but the image of his
Jim: Baguette
Pam: Dangling Participle
Jim: ooh
Pam: Was still burned into my eyes
Jim: I can imagine"

"Jim: Oh... I'm sorry is this a working office and not a French beach?"

Flame-Rob Bell

Plans

So I have been teetering on the edge of buying a road bike for a long time. I began looking on the beloved web site Craigslist and found a great bike. Unfortunately, it never worked out. So then last week I became determined to refurbish a vintage road bike. Steve, my boyfriends brother happened to have this beautiful green Peugeot bike he bought on Craigslist but never used. So I asked Steve if I can refurbish it and he gave it to me. My plan is to convert it into a fixed gear bike. I Began this dream yesterday by starting to de-grease the entire frame. I was then unpleasantly awakened by the reality of this old crappy road bike. It is going to need a lot more work than I originally thought. The frame is pretty rusted (I am thinking of completely stripping it and painting it), it needs new wheels, a new seat and post, new brakes, a new handlebar and post. I am very excited about this new endeavor and while working on it yesterday I listened to the Plans album by Death Cab for Cutie (Pretty much a perfect album). I already received my first battle wound by slamming my thumb into one of the teeth of the existing 21 gears. This is going to be great!

LAD vs. ARI 8/30/08

Last night I turn my on to see TV the LAD vs. ARI game on. The first thing I notice is, "YES! it is in the 7th and the Dodgers are winning...Maybe we will win a game and end this crap streak." Then I see the Arizona jersey's which say "Los D-Backs" when the are playing the "Los Angeles Dodgers." The Dodgers are THE ONLY team that should ever say Los on their jersey's. Who do the "D-Backs" think they are? This is just another reason I hate the D-backs.

P.S. The Dodgers did win finally after loosing the last 8 games! LAD 6 ARI 2

Goods-Mates of State

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

FAST FORWARD TO 1:40

Oh yeah
Mm
Still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets and
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
Turn and face the strange
(Ch-ch-Changes)
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
Turn and face the strange
(Ch-ch-Changes)
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
So the days float through my eyes
But stil the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
Turn and face the strange
(Ch-ch-Changes)
Don't tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
Turn and face the stranger
(Ch-ch-Changes)
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Ah changes are taking the pace I'm going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strange)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon now you're gonna get older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time

Robert Harry Clark Jr.

March 3, 2005 was a day I can recall with perfect clarity. That was the day my dad passed away and my life would be forever changed. It has now been 3 1/2 years and it is still no easier that he is gone. I can go for days, weeks, or even months now with out being sad or angry. But sometimes it can hit me like a tidal wave and stop me in my tracks. Sometimes I wake up and forget I cannot see him, or I have a vivid dream so realistic that I wake up thinking it was actually happening.

My dad was an amazing man, although he did not know God he had many attributes I would consider Christlike. Many of these qualities I now posses due to him make me a better person are learned first from him. Giving, service, honesty, humor, kindness, empathy, loyalty, self-sacrifice and love. He pretty much raised me, my mom was there but in and out and then out all together after 7th grade. Because of this my dad and I were so close and to lose him was losing my entire family (I have a half sister but we are not close).

My father's death of course completely changed who I am at this moment. Soon after he died I realized some brutal things about my personality that made me reshape much of my faith. Because of this I started to depend only upon God which I had not done previously. For a long time I was angry at God for taking my father away before he came to know Christ. I shared the gospel with my father on many occasions of the 4 years I was a Christian before he died. I prayed for him almost every day for those years. I felt secure in knowing that I shared the truth of God with him and how I felt about his life choices.For Christmas in 2004 I gave him a letter for his present along with a Bible. The letter outlined how God felt about him, how I felt about him and how much more he could have if he knew Christ. The letter I gave to him at Christmas eve service...the Bible I did not have that night. The day i finally gave him the Bible was the Friday before he died.

My father had begun dating this woman named Lynn my senior year of High School and moved in with her half way through that year. Leaving me at home while he was with her. I moved in with them after my first years of college. Lynn was not a good woman by any means she was a alcoholic, she smoked crack and pot on a regular basis. She was verbally abusive, mentally draining and almost non-functional. During my first year of college my half-brother who I was very close to died from complications of pneumonia with the help of Hepatitis C and HIV (from iv drug use). After this my dad never recovered. He blamed himself and Lynn really only worsened his depression. They constantly fought and she dragged him down her dark wicked spiral. I lived with them as long as I could take it (mostly to try and get my father out of the relationship). I paid bills on a regular basis, was the only one who cleaned, worked 20+ hours a week and went to school full time. During this time my patience was tested, and I was constantly coming to God remembering to love Lynn because He does.There were fond memories of this time time that I would not trade for anything. Like my dad almost always having dinner waiting for me when he knew I would be home, and then eating with just him and I. Or going to Russia and being able to show him all my pictures and share my experience with him. He would stay up and wait for me even when he had to be awake at 4 am and I would get home at 1am just to make sure I was safe, and ask how my night was. During this time at Lynn's I think I really was able to gain a new perspective of my dad, to see how much he really lived to support me.

I loved my father very much and losing him was and may be one of the hardest trials I have ever faced. I still have no idea why God took him away and am not sure I will ever understand until I can ask God myself. I do know God promises that good comes to those who love Him, and everything he does is perfect. There is so much I would trade to have some special moments with him: to have him walk me down the aisle at my wedding, give me away and have that special father daughter dance. To be able to actually get to know Dave and see how special he is to me. To be able to have him meet his first grand child. To be able to have one last dinner waiting for me when I get home, or just to talk to him when I am sad and need the advice only he could offer. So I guess long story short I miss you dad.

Six Drummers

Quote

"Reality, looked at steadily, is unbearable."

C.S. Lewis

Survivor

This video inspired me to learn the Ukulele.

Pineapple Whip

So I have an addiction to Dole pineapple whip. Until tonight I thought the only place I could get it was at Disneyland in front of the Tiki Room. I usually buy a Pineapple whip float every time I go to the park (I have a season pass and have been probably 8 times this year). Every time I eat it I always want more, I am convinced it is laced with crack. For those who do not know what this glorious nectar of life is you are missing out. The whip is frozen whipped pineapple juice (like soft serve), the float is the whip with pineapple juice. Tonight I found a ice cream place in Simi Valley that served this glorious gift from God. My life just got so much better.

Love is a fast song

I wanted to name my blog LOVE IS A FAST SONG after this COPELAND song. It is my favorite COPELAND song unfortunately as a blog the name was taken. So I decided to make my blog LIFE IS A FAST SONG. Here are the lyrics to the song:

You don't have to be ashamed
'Cause you're a miracle through and through
Oh, and you don't have to be ashamed
Of the miracle inside of you

What has love become?
(What has love become?)
It's not like we used to hear in those old songs
And it's not like yours
(And it's not like yours)
What has love become?

Whoa...your love is in motion
And it's spinning me around, yeah
Whoa...my heart is in motion
For the movement that's in you

You should not be angry
If all she wants is your money
Oh, you should not be angry
'Cause all you want is her body

What has love become?
(What has love become?)
It's not like we used to hear in those old songs
And it's not like yours
(And it's not like yours)
What has love become?

Whoa...your love is a fast song
And I'm dancing 'cause I'm loved again
Whoa...my heart is in motion
For the rhythm inside you
Whoa...your love is a slow song
It's resounding through my world again
Whoa...my heart is in motion
For the song inside of you

Whoa...your love is in motion
And it's spinning me around, yeah
Whoa...your love is a fast song
And I'm dancing 'cause I'm loved again
Whoa...your love is a slow song
It's resounding through my world again
Whoa...my heart is in motion
For the song inside of you

Think Blue

Do you know why the sky and the ocean are blue? Because God is a Dodger fan