Oops. I crashed my bike on Monday. I was almost home, just cruising along on the sidewalk a few hundred yards from the apartment complex. Bushes border the park that is across the street from our apartment and I drifted my left handle (and therefore hand) into the bushes. Immediately I veered left toward the bushes, so I yanked the handlebars right . . .
Right into a telephone pole. It happened so fast I didn't even have time to brake. The front tire smashed into the pole and back end of the bike flew up into the air above my head. Both my feet hit the ground as I tried to keep myself from falling over sideways. I gained control of the bike after the second big bounce, discreetly (yeah right!) glanced around to see if anyone close had seen it and then checked the front tire to see if any air was leaking. Nope. So I got back on the bike and rode home. Besides my wounded pride I was perfectly fine. I noticed a brown spot on my knee from the telephone pole so I guess I hit my knee on it, but I don't remember hitting it!
I thought the bike was fine until I got on it to go to work on Tuesday. The bike's balance seemed off and it just felt different. A very cursory glance at the frame revealed nothing. At work, I was reminded that Bryan Speer - the Athletic Director and basketball coach at LCS, - is a pretty knowledgeable bike guy. He showed me where I had cracked the frame and how off-kilter the handlebars and forks are.
So, I must apologize to my dad, who gave me his old bike to use. Now I broke it. I've kept riding it to work, hoping that the bike doesn't fall apart while I'm riding it. I took a look at Bryan Speer's old mountain bike that he's willing to sell me. I'm going to take the bike in to a shop Bryan recommended to me next week after Amy and I return from camping. If it can be fixed for a reasonable price, then I'll get it fixed. I hope I don't have to buy a new bike, but it's my transportation, so we'll see how God works things out and then I'll make a decision.
3.28.2007
3.27.2007
Friends at work
We've had a couple visitors this morning at work. 
Someone decided it would be good to feed them early this morning and they've been here ever since. They are hanging out very close to the front door so that whoever comes in or out has to be sure not to let them in the office. Unfortunately they don't seem to be too intimidated by people. Right now they are napping in the shade. A little while ago they were drinking water from the bottom of the planter outside. I figure they'll only last so long before they want water and food. Then again, if someone keeps feeding them, why would they leave? 
Someone decided it would be good to feed them early this morning and they've been here ever since. They are hanging out very close to the front door so that whoever comes in or out has to be sure not to let them in the office. Unfortunately they don't seem to be too intimidated by people. Right now they are napping in the shade. A little while ago they were drinking water from the bottom of the planter outside. I figure they'll only last so long before they want water and food. Then again, if someone keeps feeding them, why would they leave? 3.16.2007
Never Assume
Dr. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His name has been splashed onto the front pages of blogs, internet news sites and newspapers across America.
Why?
Because of this article that he wrote at his website about the many-headed issue of homosexuality. He wrote a follow-up article today to repeat, clarify and defend what exactly it was that he said. He has been misrepresented, misquoted and misidentified by many outlets of the news media.
Read this article and Dr. Mohler's before you make any comments. Notice his call for love over hate in responding to this situation This is a firestorm that is not likely to go away anytime soon.
Why?
Because of this article that he wrote at his website about the many-headed issue of homosexuality. He wrote a follow-up article today to repeat, clarify and defend what exactly it was that he said. He has been misrepresented, misquoted and misidentified by many outlets of the news media.
Read this article and Dr. Mohler's before you make any comments. Notice his call for love over hate in responding to this situation This is a firestorm that is not likely to go away anytime soon.
3.14.2007
Telephone Etiquette
As many of you know, I am a receptionist. My main job description is to answer and transfer calls. Obviously this would mean that I’m on the phone for a large portion of my day, which has led me to begin a list (see below) entitled “Telephone Etiquette.” Keep in mind that this list has been compiled over the past 7 months and is intended for business use—not necessarily personal calls, although some points can certainly be applied there as well.
1. Be sure you are not eating, chewing gum, or sucking on some sort of hard candy. No matter how “quiet” you think you can be there’s always that moment where you lose control and a large “SMACK” echoes through the receiver. Very unpleasant for the person on the other end.
2. Say your name and the company you are calling from. If you forget to mention this and the receptionist asks this information, do not give it with an impatient tone in your voice. Understand that there is basically no way that you will get past the receptionist to the person you wish to speak to without relaying this information.
3. Pay attention to your phone call. It is extremely rude to converse with others nearby while you are speaking to the receptionist. Similarly, be aware when the phone has been answered. It is quite discombobulating to pick up the phone and hear someone yelling to another person on the other end. Plus, it hurts the receptionist’s ear.
4. Try to call from a quiet place. If you are on a construction site, don’t stand right next to the truck backing up or the man sawing beams or the guy running the jackhammer. Believe it or not, these things can actually prevent the receptionist from understanding what you are trying to say.
5. Never make a call from speakerphone. Most of the time it sounds like you are under water or calling from a foreign country with a bad connection. If you have some great aversion to using the actual receiver, use the speakerphone once you have gotten past the receptionist. You could also simply try to get over your aversion and use the phone as it was intended and how most people do.
6. Do not interrupt the receptionist. Not only is this rude in normal conversation, but it is incredibly frustrating to the receptionist. Most likely, the receptionist uses a phrase or two upon answering the phone. Let the receptionist finish. How would you like it if the receptionist interrupted you?
7. Do not hang up on the receptionist, even if you just found out the person you are calling is not available. If you would prefer not to leave a voicemail, it is quite easy to say that politely. Receptionists have been known to keep lists of “People to Hang up On.” Watch you don’t get added to the list!
8. Do not mumble. No one can understand what you are saying, let along someone on the other end of the phone line.
9. Know what you are going to say. Be prepared to answer questions like “Who is calling please?” and “What is this regarding?” These are very typical questions for a receptionist to ask and oftentimes the receptionist is required to ask these.
10. Do not take out your anger/frustration on the receptionist. Ninety-nine percent of the time the receptionist has absolutely nothing to do with whatever it is that has bothered you. Also, you are probably wasting your breath telling the receptionist about whatever it is that has bothered you because the receptionist is only going to transfer your call and you will have to explain it all over again. Plus, the receptionist probably has other calls coming in and doesn’t want to be rude by interrupting you. Bottom line—be nice to the receptionist.
1. Be sure you are not eating, chewing gum, or sucking on some sort of hard candy. No matter how “quiet” you think you can be there’s always that moment where you lose control and a large “SMACK” echoes through the receiver. Very unpleasant for the person on the other end.
2. Say your name and the company you are calling from. If you forget to mention this and the receptionist asks this information, do not give it with an impatient tone in your voice. Understand that there is basically no way that you will get past the receptionist to the person you wish to speak to without relaying this information.
3. Pay attention to your phone call. It is extremely rude to converse with others nearby while you are speaking to the receptionist. Similarly, be aware when the phone has been answered. It is quite discombobulating to pick up the phone and hear someone yelling to another person on the other end. Plus, it hurts the receptionist’s ear.
4. Try to call from a quiet place. If you are on a construction site, don’t stand right next to the truck backing up or the man sawing beams or the guy running the jackhammer. Believe it or not, these things can actually prevent the receptionist from understanding what you are trying to say.
5. Never make a call from speakerphone. Most of the time it sounds like you are under water or calling from a foreign country with a bad connection. If you have some great aversion to using the actual receiver, use the speakerphone once you have gotten past the receptionist. You could also simply try to get over your aversion and use the phone as it was intended and how most people do.
6. Do not interrupt the receptionist. Not only is this rude in normal conversation, but it is incredibly frustrating to the receptionist. Most likely, the receptionist uses a phrase or two upon answering the phone. Let the receptionist finish. How would you like it if the receptionist interrupted you?
7. Do not hang up on the receptionist, even if you just found out the person you are calling is not available. If you would prefer not to leave a voicemail, it is quite easy to say that politely. Receptionists have been known to keep lists of “People to Hang up On.” Watch you don’t get added to the list!
8. Do not mumble. No one can understand what you are saying, let along someone on the other end of the phone line.
9. Know what you are going to say. Be prepared to answer questions like “Who is calling please?” and “What is this regarding?” These are very typical questions for a receptionist to ask and oftentimes the receptionist is required to ask these.
10. Do not take out your anger/frustration on the receptionist. Ninety-nine percent of the time the receptionist has absolutely nothing to do with whatever it is that has bothered you. Also, you are probably wasting your breath telling the receptionist about whatever it is that has bothered you because the receptionist is only going to transfer your call and you will have to explain it all over again. Plus, the receptionist probably has other calls coming in and doesn’t want to be rude by interrupting you. Bottom line—be nice to the receptionist.
Our Wedding Album
I love my husband :-)
But that's not the reason I'm posting right now. I wanted to mention that I added a new Web Album--Our Wedding Album. I just spent about a half hour (in between phone calls) photographing each page of the album I completed on Sunday. Of course, this morning no one walked by me or called until I started taking pictures of... pictures.... Then everyone decided to take a walk by my desk. Sigh... I'm not as crazy as I look (sometimes). So, as promised, enjoy pictures of our wedding album!
But that's not the reason I'm posting right now. I wanted to mention that I added a new Web Album--Our Wedding Album. I just spent about a half hour (in between phone calls) photographing each page of the album I completed on Sunday. Of course, this morning no one walked by me or called until I started taking pictures of... pictures.... Then everyone decided to take a walk by my desk. Sigh... I'm not as crazy as I look (sometimes). So, as promised, enjoy pictures of our wedding album!
3.13.2007
Contentment
Yesterday I spoke in secondary chapel. It was a humbling experience. The message was entitled "Contentment: Discovering the Secret to Satisfaction - God's Way." I was given about twenty minutes to speak and spoke for about twenty-five minutes (oops!). Every day last week I studied with my Bible, a MacArthur Study Bible, a book of illustrations and quotes (thanks mom!), a dictionary, and a Bible commentary. My primary text was Philippians 4:10-19. It was challenging to me to communicate the very words of Almighty God to a group of junior highers and high schoolers.
I learned why pastors have to spend 20-30 hours every week preparing their sermon. My notes were not as cohesive as I would have liked. I also learned to make my notes in a large enough font so that I can read them when I glance at them on the podium.
All praise and honor is Gods' for all the kids and teachers that commended me for the message.
Soli Deo Gloria
I learned why pastors have to spend 20-30 hours every week preparing their sermon. My notes were not as cohesive as I would have liked. I also learned to make my notes in a large enough font so that I can read them when I glance at them on the podium.
All praise and honor is Gods' for all the kids and teachers that commended me for the message.
Soli Deo Gloria
Desserts
These are the desserts I made for the Valentine's Day Banquet. I realize that it is more than a month since the banquet, but I have only now brought my camera to work so I can transfer the pictures. From the top: Dessert Pizza (with peaches, strawberries, green grapes, mango, raspberries, and kiwi fruit), peanut butter brownies and apple-cranberry crumble. Of course I didn't actually take any pictures at the banquet, but I did get the desserts I made. It was fun. I've learned that I like to bake yummy desserts :-)
In other food news, I made lasagna Saturday night for dinner and Brian came to join us since he was at LAX dropping off his sister. I made a small one (8"x8") and it turned out really good! I was pretty amazed. BUT, now I know what I like (and what Happy likes)!
Sunday afternoon, as the fire burned in Anaheim Hills sprinkling ashes and spreading smoke throughout northern Orange County, Happy and I stayed inside. Happy was preparing for the message he gave in chapel yesterday (I shall leave that one to be explained by him since I couldn't go hear him) and I was putting together our wedding album!!!! It took all afternoon and evening, but I finished around 9 pm and I LOVE it! Of course I brought it to work to show those who were interested--namely the women--and it occurred to me that I should take pictures of each of the pages for those who are interested and can't actually see it in person. So, my goal is to get that done this week. And I'm not even going to say "We'll see how that goes" because I'm really going to do it AND upload them to our blog :-D
The last few days invoices have been slower than usual. It's nice to have slow times. I'm going to sort more wedding photos into albums that we've been given. We have a LOT of albums, but we still have probably 20 disposable cameras to develop. Works out well I suppose. On that note, I'm going to get to work on the albums I brought today. Have a lovely Tuesday!
3.07.2007
Life is Good
Wednesday morning and I'm already caught up with invoices! Today my ride to work was less than 20 minutes. It was 18 minutes, to be exact. Needless to say, it made my morning :-)
In other news, the great tragedy of our VCR messing up in recording 24 last week is now behind us. Ron graciously recorded it for us (he has TiVo) and we were able to watch it before this week's episode. I'm pretty sure life would have continued if somehow we weren't able to watch it, but I'm thankful that Ron helped us out.
Since I have no invoices to do until the mail comes, I'm planning to read for most of the morning. I'm now a little less than halfway through Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia. They are such great books! I'm sure I've already said that, but they really are. I would highly recommend them for anyone, no matter how young or old. On that note, back to Old Narnia!
In other news, the great tragedy of our VCR messing up in recording 24 last week is now behind us. Ron graciously recorded it for us (he has TiVo) and we were able to watch it before this week's episode. I'm pretty sure life would have continued if somehow we weren't able to watch it, but I'm thankful that Ron helped us out.
Since I have no invoices to do until the mail comes, I'm planning to read for most of the morning. I'm now a little less than halfway through Prince Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia. They are such great books! I'm sure I've already said that, but they really are. I would highly recommend them for anyone, no matter how young or old. On that note, back to Old Narnia!
3.02.2007
Ironic
Today when the mail came there were nearly 3 times as many invoices as I get on a regular day...... 12 Blessings.... bah....
3.01.2007
Colossians and Invoices
Last night at Bible study, we studied Colossians 3:15-17 and I realized that the Lord has been trying to teach me a lesson for a while now. Verse 17 along with 23-24 (which we haven't studied yet) have been playing over and over again in my mind since then. Actually, I decided to write out Col. 3:23-24 on a post-it note and put it on my computer at work:
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
I'm sure this is a typical thing for Christians to post on their computer at work, but I'm hoping that it serves to challenge me in my mundane work. I don't mean that to be a complaint, but honestly... who thinks stamping, coding, and entering invoices into a program is anything less than mundane? Exactly. Yet, God doesn't say to do my exciting work heartily. He doesn't qualify the "work" at all. So somehow I need to rejoice in stamping, coding and entering invoices knowing that "it is the Lord Christ whom [I] serve."
As I've been pondering this I'm reminded of those cheesy commercials about changing your career or getting a new degree. You know what I'm talking about.
Last night we talked a lot about thankfulness too, because it is mentioned in all three of the verses we studied. Often times it seems that once I stop focusing on the bad stuff and start thanking God for the good stuff, my attitude turns 180 degrees. Some of you may have seen this coming, but I decided that I need to play 12 Blessings about Stamping, Coding and Entering Invoices. I suppose this is one I've been putting off for a while.... Hopefully this challenges some of you, but mostly I'm sure it'll challenge me!
12 Blessings about Stamping, Coding and Entering Invoices
1. I have learned 10-Key and get A LOT practice with it almost every day.
2. It gives me the opportunity to help our A/P department with the massive amount of work they have.
3. I have learned a little more about the company I work for.
4. Doing something for the company makes me feel more like I'm "part of the team."
5. I have memorized many of the codes I use, which helps to exercise my terrible memory.
6. I have memorized many of the job names that go with the job numbers, which helps in sorting paychecks by job every Wednesday.
7. I am better able to sort the mail to the correct Project Managers.
8. It doesn't demand a high level of concentration, so I can multi-task more easily.
9. I get to open a whole bunch of mail every day!
10. I get two stamps that are mine--only mine :-)
11. I get to make a big mess every time I refill the ink in the stamps!
12. It is incredibly satisfying to finish a huge stack of invoices and then READ :-D
Phew... that took WAY too long. I won't tell you how long though... At the end I remembered that sometimes it's the small things you need to be thankful for. So, those are some of the things that I like. I am so cool. Right now I have a small stack of invoices to finish and then I'm going to read. Have a wonderful evening!
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."
I'm sure this is a typical thing for Christians to post on their computer at work, but I'm hoping that it serves to challenge me in my mundane work. I don't mean that to be a complaint, but honestly... who thinks stamping, coding, and entering invoices into a program is anything less than mundane? Exactly. Yet, God doesn't say to do my exciting work heartily. He doesn't qualify the "work" at all. So somehow I need to rejoice in stamping, coding and entering invoices knowing that "it is the Lord Christ whom [I] serve."
As I've been pondering this I'm reminded of those cheesy commercials about changing your career or getting a new degree. You know what I'm talking about.
Last night we talked a lot about thankfulness too, because it is mentioned in all three of the verses we studied. Often times it seems that once I stop focusing on the bad stuff and start thanking God for the good stuff, my attitude turns 180 degrees. Some of you may have seen this coming, but I decided that I need to play 12 Blessings about Stamping, Coding and Entering Invoices. I suppose this is one I've been putting off for a while.... Hopefully this challenges some of you, but mostly I'm sure it'll challenge me!
12 Blessings about Stamping, Coding and Entering Invoices
1. I have learned 10-Key and get A LOT practice with it almost every day.
2. It gives me the opportunity to help our A/P department with the massive amount of work they have.
3. I have learned a little more about the company I work for.
4. Doing something for the company makes me feel more like I'm "part of the team."
5. I have memorized many of the codes I use, which helps to exercise my terrible memory.
6. I have memorized many of the job names that go with the job numbers, which helps in sorting paychecks by job every Wednesday.
7. I am better able to sort the mail to the correct Project Managers.
8. It doesn't demand a high level of concentration, so I can multi-task more easily.
9. I get to open a whole bunch of mail every day!
10. I get two stamps that are mine--only mine :-)
11. I get to make a big mess every time I refill the ink in the stamps!
12. It is incredibly satisfying to finish a huge stack of invoices and then READ :-D
Phew... that took WAY too long. I won't tell you how long though... At the end I remembered that sometimes it's the small things you need to be thankful for. So, those are some of the things that I like. I am so cool. Right now I have a small stack of invoices to finish and then I'm going to read. Have a wonderful evening!
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