Confession

So, I'm going to be sort of random, but this is what's going on.
I joined this social media website called ravelry, basically a knitting facebook. It's useful, lots of pattern ideas and the ability to ask other knitters questions. A friend asked me to knit him a bag that he can use when biking around downtown with his girlfriend (hold their wallets, a camera, etc.), so I looked up patterns and found an interesting idea. It's called "plarn", which is yarn made from plastic bags. You cut bags into one-inch strips, loop them together, then roll into a ball and knit. Target bags are more sturdy than regular grocery store bags. So Coleman and I need to invest in needles so "we" (read I) can knit this.
Last week Coleman's roommates very astutely pointed out that he tends to take over in the kitchen. So much so that we literally got into an argument because I was using a spoon instead of a fork to stir cookie dough. I really wanted to hit him and cry and go home (I didn't though, the cookie dough was there, not at my place). Most of the time I don't care, it's just times like this instance when he won't let go of the fact that I'm doing something different than he would have. And in my stubbornness I don't want to listen to his..."helpful advice". So Coleman has now decided that I need to be the one in charge in the kitchen, he'll gladly help me cook, but it will be my ideas. He's also supposed to step back and let me do things my way, haven't tested that one yet. I'm hoping that in the next week or so we can try to make meatloaf, I've never made it myself and I enjoy meatloaf.
Which brings us to the other entree I have been considering. This is a little embarrassing. I have been thinking about making "Engagement Chicken". I've heard the stories, at least the ones that worked. I'm just curious myself whether it works or not. But, it's a very plain recipe. Every recipe I've seen calls for a whole chicken, lemons, salt and pepper. That doesn't sound very flavorful, and I know that Coleman wouldn't be impressed by something that bland. It would need to be either spicy or cooked exceptionally well. Maybe it's more important that it's a whole chicken, and not the ingredients.
Any thoughts?

Long time no see

I'm not very good at this blog thing. I could take more time to be a blog person. But really, when it comes down to it, I'd much rather be doing something else. (Like knitting. I need to take pictures of some knitting projects from the last few months. I learned how to knit a beanie, and I knitted myself a sweater. The sweater turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.) Not talking about myself and what I'm doing. Which I feel is not a whole lot.

I'm still not working. It's been almost a year and I feel very inadequate, and my pride is hurt because I've had to ask my parents for help financially. I was so proud of myself for not needing my parents to pay for anything since my Freshmen year. And now, every time I think about money and bills and finding a job, my eyes get all watery, and my head hurts, and I practically burst into tears. I am so frustrated with not being able to find a job, and I know that the longer I don't have a job the harder it will be to get one.

I have a conundrum right now. My friend told me that if I could work from 10-5 a few days/week I could work at a winery. I have class everyday, partly to get enough units to remain full time as a student. I (am/was) going to get my Special Event Planning certificate. But if I dropped one of the classes I could work at the winery. If I dropped that class there would be no point in taking the other classes, and I would not get the certificate. I would still have full time student status. So do I take the immediate opportunity for a job, and just forget about the event planning certificate? Or do I try to find a different job, hope for the best, and keep the certificate which may help me get hired after I'm done with school?

Tonight was the first Tuesday night that I did not volunteer with the junior high group at church. Stupid class. I already miss them. Seriously. I think that is an age group I was meant to spend time with. What if I should have been a single-subject teacher rather than a winemaker? It's my last semester and I'm questioning my major...again.

Hopefully it won't be 6 months before I post on this thing again. But I can't make any promises.

Camacho Wedding

Josh and Jeanine got married last week! :) I am so happy for them. Jeanine assigned me the task of setting up the reception site...This is how it turned out:

Head table

Vases to go on the head table for bridesmaid's bouquets.

A cake for each table!

We had such a great time! I can't wait to see them in a few days, before they move to San Jose.

So school is about to start up again. I've kind of been thinking about changing my major...or staying in school and getting a double major, but at $2350/semester I won't be able to afford that. Right now I'm going to work on getting an event planning certificate, it's only 12 units, and I'm going to need more units for next semester when I only have one class to take. I've been thinking that maybe I want to work in a tasting room, and plan the events at a winery. Or even be a party planner or something along those lines. Who knows where I will end up.
This is what my summer has consisted of. Hanging out with Junior High girls. Some of the girls are the epitome of last year's mantra: "Boys, boys, boys. Text message, text message, text message." But mostly they're sweet girls trying to figure out who they are. Pray for more consistent female leaders to join us. With 25 seventh grade girls we're going to need more than two people leading life groups.

The never-ending hunt

Looking for a job is very aggravating. Fresno is in the top 5 worst places to find a job right now.
I have been able to read 5 books since school got out though. And gone on a few bike rides. So it's not ALL bad, not having a job. But I will eventually need some money, so the search continues.

Here's a picture of Coleman on our recent visit to Thousand Oaks, looking for a Blue Whale.
I would post the picture of the glimpse of Blue Whale that I took, but you wouldn't be able to tell unless you knew where exactly it was.

This final is absolutely insane. All of the questions have to be answered using outside sources, i.e. not from the lectures or book. I feel like I've had Senioritis for the last month and a half.
I'm thinking of getting a second degree, or minor. More on that when I have time.
On a lighter note, one of my friends is proposing to his girlfriend on Thursday. Pray for him, that even if things don't go exactly the way he planned, that they will turn out okay. He wants to propose at Woodward Park, so hopefully the weather is good. I'll have to tell you how he got the money for the ring another time, it's obvious that God was in it.

Spring Break!

Right now, I am reclined and sipping on some Bailey's. Delicious. And much needed after finishing two take-home tests today.
So starting tomorrow at 9am I will officially be on spring break. Which should mean rest and relaxation right? WRONG! I get to drive Coleman to the airport tomorrow at 10:30 so he can go visit his brother in Denver. Then I will be helping bottling some wine.
Saturday, I don't have much to do, but I would like to go on another bike ride, and I desperately need to clean my apartment. Seriously, it's a disaster. Not that that's a surprise.
Sunday, I have Kids Connection at the 9 and 5 services, and will probably attend the 11...or 7...I don't know yet. I will have to decide when I would like to go home.
Monday, I will be home, trying to relax. And study. And write two papers.
Tuesday, jury duty in Merced. Awesome possum. Hopefully I don't actually have to serve.
Wednesday, back to Fresno to pick Coleman up from the airport...hopefully. Otherwise he gets to find his own ride to his apartment, then to Hilmar.
Thursday, going to Monterrey for the day. Going to the aquarium and probably to Pizza my Heart.
Friday, pick up Whitney in Dublin.
Saturday, dye eggs. Hang out with Jeannie (and Stu) and probably Ashley (maybe Forrest?) in the evening.
Sunday, Easter festivities. Egg hunting (the oldest participant is 28, and the youngest is 20). Egg salad sandwich eating. Then dinner, and Kaitlin will be coming back to Fresno with me. She's coming with me to the Phil Wickham/Charlie Hall concert at The Well.